Ethnochat: an instant messenger program for ethnography

  • Authors:
  • Jason Zalinger;Nathan Freier;Eric Dutko

  • Affiliations:
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA;Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA;Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA

  • Venue:
  • CHI '09 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

This paper describes the design of Ethnochat, an instant messaging (IM) program built for ethnographers to conduct computer-mediated, semi-structured or unstructured interviews. To our knowledge, this is the first program of its kind. Ethnographic techniques are becoming a common method to investigate social interactions and settings in digital contexts, and this creates a demand for a proper tool with which ethnographers can practice their craft. This paper details the design and articulates how Ethnochat will have significant implications for HCI practice.