"Netnographic" Investigation of a Facebook Group

[The following text is an example or "case" that can serve as a starting point for reflection and discussion. Some examples may be based on real events, while others are fictional representations.]

A master's student wants to analyze discussions within the Facebook group Dyras Rettigheter (Animal Rights) to explore whether this type of online community can foster new forms of alliances and debates that are not typically possible through traditional activism. The Facebook group is open and focuses on discussions related to animal protection in Norway. The group is moderated.

The student intends to use "netnography" as a method, which involves observing a group of people over time and actively participating in the group's activities to interpret actions and interactions. The researcher notes that she has been actively participating in the group even before the project was planned. The plan is to make active use of individual posts for the analysis.

1. Should the researcher inform the entire group about the project?

2. Should the researcher inform participants in the group if she plans to use their posts in her research?

3. Does the researcher need to anonymize the participants, even if the group is open and the posts are publicly searchable?

4. Does the researcher need to inform participants about the results of the analysis?

5. Would the situation be different if the forum had been closed, and if so, in what ways?

Note: This is a translation of the Norwegian original text by Johanne Svanes Oskarsen.