I’ve been updating you about my dissertation research via this blog for quite a while now and I am happy to share a new IRB approved research opportunity happening on Wednesday, April 24th during the regularly scheduled #DSMA chat. Below are some details about the projects as well as the who, what, and when!
Project details
The following research opportunity is one part of my larger dissertation project. The purpose of the overall study is to identify and analyze dominant and counter-narratives within a sample of diabetes online communities (DOCs) in order to better understand how the condition of diabetes is being politicized via online social media spaces. This means I am collecting diabetes-related social media data and analyzing it for narrative themes and their connection to social phenomena. Up to 2,180 participants will be enrolled in this study.
The current research opportunity
I will be hosting a 1-hour long #DSMA tweet chat as one component of my larger project. #DSMA was selected as a research site because it has been a regular meeting place for people with diabetes and caregivers of people with diabetes for a very long time. I, myself, have participated in the chat too many times to count over the last five years! For this study, I will use both my personal twitter account, @Heather_RoseW, as well as the official diabetes social media advocacy (DSMA) account, @diabetessocmed. Please follow both accounts in preparation for the chat.
Who Can Participate?
Any one touched by diabetes is welcome to participate! A tweet chat is designed to be open and free flowing. All who would like to join in can. There will be an opt out procedure linked out several times during the chat. You can participate in the chat AND opt out. This just means that your tweets will not be used for research purposes. If you want to join the conversation but not be a part of the project, clink on one of the opt-out links during the chat.
What Will Be Asked?
Below are the questions that will be asked during the chat. Please feel free to prepare your responses ahead of time!
- What is the most common diabetes misconception you hear and how do you react when you hear it?
- What do you wish people knew about diabetes?
- To what extent is diabetes a part of who you are? 4) How would you describe your diabetes-related online interactions to a person without diabetes?
- Why do you participate in the #dsma tweet chat?
- Imagine a diabetes-related hashtag you made up went viral, what would the # be and it what would it be about?
When will the chat take place?
The #DSMA chat will take place on Wednesday, April 24th during the regular #DSMA time, 9pm EST. The chat will last one hour.
If you have any comments or questions, please email me or write in the comments. I’m so excited to be able to share this opportunity with you. Another post with all opt-out information will be posted the day of the chat.
The Chronic Scholar 