Outside the field, inside the home: lessons learned from adapting qualitative research strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Purpose
This collaborative paper presents three case studies on four scholars' experiences with remote data collection. The authors highlight the challenges and strengths of online qualitative research across three disparate projects: an interdisciplinary exploration of matrilineal heritage, an examination of Irish women's sexual identity and an investigation of dress practices among Tz'utujil-Maya.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative researchers traditionally go into the field to explore and understand social phenomena. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while people faced the daily realities of a worldwide crisis from within their homes, remote data collection became a necessary strategy to pursue knowledge. As a result, researchers adapted to unknowns regarding recruiting, scheduling, technology, interviewing and analysis.
Findings
Participant and researcher experiences during the adaptation to remote interviewing yielded important lessons on research strategies.
Originality/value
Outcomes from these studies highlight the potential value of online data collection alongside the necessity for flexibility in designing and conducting qualitative research.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors express sincere appreciation to their participants for taking the time to engage our research projects while navigating the unknowns of a global pandemic. Hill and Clawson received funding for their project, WSU IRB#4746, from the WSU Regional Institute on Aging and the WSU Performing Arts Angels during 2020–2022. Craig received partial funding for her research project, FHSU IRB #1567610–3, from the Fort Hays State University Faculty Research Experience Grant during 2020–2022. Oertling received travel funding for her project, KSU IRB #1005, from the Kansas State University Graduate School's Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Small Grant Program.
Citation
Craig, C., Oertling, E., Hill, T. and Clawson, C. (2024), "Outside the field, inside the home: lessons learned from adapting qualitative research strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-07-2023-0112
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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