The document discusses how researchers can study digital data and online behavior that is not directly observable. It proposes adopting methods from ethnography, such as analyzing contextual relationships and temporal patterns in user data, to develop techniques for "data ethnography". These new methodologies are needed to allow researchers to continue studying issues related to digital platforms and the capitalization of personal information in a world of increasing data interoperability across many domains of society.

1. How do we research what we can’t see?
Dr Jonathon Hutchinson
University of Sydney
Jonathon.Hutchinson@Sydney.edu.au
@dhutchman

2. Steve Jones, 2014

3. The University of Sydney Page 3

4. The University of Sydney Page 4

5. The University of Sydney Page 5
It is a 21st century digital
intermediation problem: the
potential benefits of platform
comparable user-data is useful
for the concerned stakeholders,
while simultaneously intruding on
their personal information
potentially increasing
surveillance, personal security
breaches, and the capitalization
of our digital selves.

6. The University of Sydney Page 6
Digital Intermediation
Cultural
Intermediation
Expertise
Languages
Social
Capital
Tacit
Knowledge
Digital
Intermediation
Cultural
Intermediation
Data
Influencers
Platforms

7. The University of Sydney Page 7

8. Relational; Contextual; Temporal

9. The University of Sydney Page 9

10. The University of Sydney Page 10

11. The University of Sydney Page 11
Ethnographers
Social
Scientists
Data
Ethnography

12. The University of Sydney Page 12
Towards Data Ethnography – Rapid
Ethnography
Fieldwork (re)Design Programming Implementation

13. The University of Sydney Page 13
Data Ethnography

14. The University of Sydney Page 14

15. The University of Sydney Page 15
Discussion
– Interoperability is increasing across all sectors of society
– Some aspects are positive; unfortunately there are a
number of negative life issues for some misrepresented
members
– The enmeshed state/government stewardship of
interoperability complicates matters for public interest
researchers
– We need to be actively designing new methodologies in
these areas to continue our work.

16. How do we research what we can’t see?
Dr Jonathon Hutchinson
University of Sydney
Jonathon.Hutchinson@Sydney.edu.au
@dhutchman