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Chapter 7 - Lessons Learned Conducting Online Qualitative Interviews during Covid-19

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2024

By
Sally Lindsay ,
Hiba Ahmed ,
Vanessa Tomas  and
Abirami Vijaykaumar
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

During the COVID-19 pandemic, collecting data online was the only option for many researchers. This chapter describes the barriers to, advantages of, and key lessons learned in conducting online interviews during the pandemic. We draw on a qualitative study focusing on employment experiences during the pandemic among youth with and without disabilities. Thirty interviews were conducted synchronously via Zoom. Barriers to conducting online interviews included technical difficulties and some challenges with building rapport. Benefits of conducting online interviews included greater efficiency and flexibility, technical advantages, and perceived anonymity and privacy. Key lessons learned in conducting online interviews included testing equipment in advance and having a back-up recorder, giving participants questions in advance or having it on the shared screen, and providing technical information to participants in an easy-to-understand format.

Keywords

online interviewspandemicqualitativeyouth
Type
Chapter
Information
The Future of Qualitative Research in Healthcare
The Role and Management of Digital Methods
 , pp. 87 - 106
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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