Phase I: Fan Activities
The data presented in this post address the fan activities and fannish identities of the participants in my sample.
Fans in the current sample were active in a number of different fan forums. However, when asked to list their primary site, it became clear that my sample was probably most representative of LiveJournal fandom.
Fans also reported being involved in a wide array of fandoms. They were first asked to check all of the "genres" they were fannish about (fannish being defined as being involved in some online fan activity related to the media). Then participants were asked to supply their "primary" fandom.
Fans also reported on their fannish activities. The bars represent percentages endorsing engagement in that activity. Clearly, reading fanfiction was a popular activity among the fans who participated in my survey, but they were also engaged in other fan activities.
Fan activity and engagement was measured by looking at self-defined activity level, average time of online fandom involvement, and average time spent per week engaged in online fannish behaviors.
Lurking was assessed by asking a yes/no question, "do you consider yourself a lurker?" Activity level was assessed using a 10-point scale (as evidenced on the above graph), where 1 meant "complete lurker, never active" to a 10 of "high level of activity, contribute daily in fandom".
Citation: Meggers, H.J. (2010, April). Fans in Online Fannish Spaces: Expressions of Self and Sexuality. Paper presented at the meeting of The National Popular Culture & American Culture Associations Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.
Fans in the current sample were active in a number of different fan forums. However, when asked to list their primary site, it became clear that my sample was probably most representative of LiveJournal fandom.
Fans also reported being involved in a wide array of fandoms. They were first asked to check all of the "genres" they were fannish about (fannish being defined as being involved in some online fan activity related to the media). Then participants were asked to supply their "primary" fandom.
Fans also reported on their fannish activities. The bars represent percentages endorsing engagement in that activity. Clearly, reading fanfiction was a popular activity among the fans who participated in my survey, but they were also engaged in other fan activities.
Fan activity and engagement was measured by looking at self-defined activity level, average time of online fandom involvement, and average time spent per week engaged in online fannish behaviors.
Lurking was assessed by asking a yes/no question, "do you consider yourself a lurker?" Activity level was assessed using a 10-point scale (as evidenced on the above graph), where 1 meant "complete lurker, never active" to a 10 of "high level of activity, contribute daily in fandom".
Citation: Meggers, H.J. (2010, April). Fans in Online Fannish Spaces: Expressions of Self and Sexuality. Paper presented at the meeting of The National Popular Culture & American Culture Associations Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO.