The research focuses on how online information affects the building, maintenance, and evaluation of personal reputations of private individuals. It explores two main areas: evaluating others' reputations through online evidence and managing one's own reputation online. The study employs qualitative methods, including diaries and interviews, with a sample of over 45 participants from various generational cohorts in the UK.

1. Frances Ryan
f.ryan@napier.ac.uk
@cleverfrances
www.JustAPhD.com
+44(0)7530 696549

2. What’s the research about?
How online information contributes to the building, maintenance,
and evaluation of personal reputations
― Personal reputation: Private individuals, rather than corporate identity and brand
Two broad research themes:
(1) The means by which people evaluate or assess the personal
reputations of others from the online evidence available to them
(2) How people manage their own personal reputations through their use
of online information, and to what extent those behaviours are intentional

3. Qualitative methods
 Loose theoretical framework
drawing from many disciplines
 Inspired by everyday life
information seeking (ELIS) studies
 Diaries + Interviews
 Sample of 45+ UK-based
participants
 Gen Y, Gen X, Boomers

4. Progress and next steps
 Pilot study completed
 Main empirical work in progress
 Data analysis
 Thesis write-up
 Doctor Ryan

5. Thank you!
f.ryan@napier.ac.uk
@cleverfrances
www.JustAPhD.com
+44(0)7530 696549