ABSTRACT
We compare and contrast our experiences with two research studies—one in-person ethnographic study and one study that shifted to an online ethnography during the COVID-19 pandemic. We reflect on our experience shifting to an online ethnography and what was lost and gained in these different environments, including missed opportunities for rapport building, the types of data we could observe, the ease of collecting documents and conducting interviews, and ethical considerations that emerged. In comparing these two different research studies, this chapter provides insights for researchers who study online or hybrid field sites. As we learned in the hybrid ethnography project, doing fieldwork necessitates flexibility and a commitment to meeting the participants where they are. We argue that considerations for how and when to conduct online ethnography depend on one's research questions and the types of data one needs to capture.
