Ashley Madison

Light, BA

Abstract

As the introduction to this volume indicates, apps are a challenge to study because, among other reasons, they are usually made technically inaccessible to researchers by developers. This chapter is methodological in nature and illustrates the use of a digital method, the walkthrough method, as one way of studying apps in response to the challenges of researcher access to this domain. A fuller exposition of this method can be found in the work of Ben Light, Jean Burgess, and Stefanie Duguay (2018). To illustrate how the method can be used, I use the Ashley Madison app, a dating/hookup app aimed at those seeking to make what the app’s promotional materials describe as a “discreet connection” outside the confines of a monogamous relationship.

• Publication Date: Nov 30, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 2, 2019
• Book Title: Appified
• ISBN: 9780472074044
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.9391658
• Publisher URL: https://www.press.umich.edu/9391658/appified