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Chapter 8 - Virtual Interviewing in the Age of Covid-19

Considerations for Qualitative Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2024

By
Charles Edmund Degeneffe
Edited by
Paul M.W. Hackett ,
Christopher M. Hayre ,
Dave Muller ,
Marcia Scherer  and
Ava Gordley-Smith
Paul M.W. Hackett
Affiliation:
Emerson College, Boston
Christopher M. Hayre
Affiliation:
The University of Canberra
Dave Muller
Affiliation:
Suffolk University, Massachusetts
Marcia Scherer
Affiliation:
University of Rochester Medical Center, New York
Ava Gordley-Smith
Affiliation:
University of Suffolk
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Summary

This chapter discusses the use of virtual approaches to data collection in qualitative research in the age of Covid-19. Covid-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, came to public attention on December 1, 2019, and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Due to safety considerations, Covid-19 necessitated the move from in-person approaches to virtual approaches for qualitative researchers, most of whom likely lack specific training and knowledge on Internet-mediated approaches with data collection. To provide background information and perspective on virtual interviewing, the chapter offers a primer by overviewing virtual interviewing, examining researcher and participant perspectives, and offering best-practice considerations when managing the technical aspects, participant engagement, and ethical considerations of virtual interviewing.

Keywords

virtual interviewinginternet researchqualitative researchCovid-19technology
Type
Chapter
Information
The Future of Qualitative Research in Healthcare
The Role and Management of Digital Methods
 , pp. 107 - 124
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

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