A colleague dropped by at the self-access centre today while I was watching (on my computer screen) a student who, elsewhere at the centre, was taking part in the experiment I use to collect data.
"That's wrong!", he said, "you're spying on her".
I said I wasn't, I had consent from her, and I tried to argue that this was an essential part of my research.
He wouldn't have any of it. "That's wrong", he repeated, and walked away.
I don't think there's anything wrong with what I'm doing, I'm observing the students while I collect data and I'm poised to provide online support if they need it.
But it worried me that he would say that because he's the best computer science lecturer at the Engineering Department where I work. I have a lot of respect for him.
I suspect he objects to my methods because he is used to more positivist, traditional methods.
Yet, I can't get his words out of my head.