Since I’ve determined my media niche of art tutorials. I need to nominate a field site for my research project. What is a field site? A field site is not a singular physical or even online space. Its a large network of relations between human and non-human actors . (Moore, UOW lecture slides ) Field site research typically took place when the researcher could be physically present for a qualitative method of data collection, involving observations, interaction and an understanding of the people within that environment. However a field site differs within the online world. Advanced progression of digital media allows broader environments for studies.
I can now expand and determine a field site specialised to my niche. My field site map links each media related content that my digital artefact will use throughout its development. “Mapping methods and social maps have been used by researchers as a means to document and analyse social networks and interactions as well as by those whom they study to gain an understanding of participant perspectives” (Powell, 2010).
My field site map above represents different ‘branches’ of my digital artefact medium. Depicting information that links to my media niche and its community. Overall helping create my persona.
For example, looking at the Platforms branch, you will notice that it extends to Instagram, my main platform for the development and research. As well as Tiktok and Twitter. Although these other two platforms are not where my observation research will take place, they are still a part of my field site as they will be used for the promotion of my art tutorials. Sharing the videos on different sites will help me target a wider niche audience beyond just Instagram users, drawing them to my page. Branching from the sites, I outlined the field site uses of the platforms. To represent the relationship my content will have with my page in terms of delivery.
Im sure as my DA grows, adapts or changes my field site map may broaden.
References
Moore, C 2021, “BCM241 Media Ethnographies Lecture Slides”, UOW.
Powell, K 2021, “Making Sense of Place: Mapping as a Multisensory Research Method”.
Kyras blog 