Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This project was a detailed study of a phenomenally successful form of e-commerce, the internet auction site. Such sites have revolutionised the buying and selling of second-hand and collectible items. However, they also provide potential new ways and spaces to perform and display knowledge and 'knowingness', particularly in relation to material culture and wider site-specific 'communities'. These alternative consumption spaces of e-commerce have as yet been relatively under-researched, as have (until recently) their offline equivalents (boot sales, charity shops). This project was a case study of one such internet auction site, eBay, chosen for its market dominance. The research sought to explore, through an innovative mix of qualitative methods, the relationship between participation in the eBay site and the expression of social identities and knowledges. An understanding of these processes is of considerable importance for developing future structures and systems of e-commerce. Further information and reports based on the project may be found on the Chimera eBay project web pages.

Main Topics:

This data collection comprises semi-structured interviews (some include telephone questionnaire responses and/or email correspondence) with a range of eBay traders and users; weblogs ('blogs'); ethnographic diaries; and focus group interviews. Topics covered include buying and selling practices and experiences on eBay, online identity, knowledge and online communities. See documentation for further details.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview

Telephone interview

Observation

Diaries

Focus group

Weblogs ('blogs').