Outside the field, inside the home: lessons learned from adapting qualitative research strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

PurposeThis 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/approachQualitative 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.FindingsParticipant and researcher experiences during the adaptation to remote interviewing yielded important lessons on research strategies.Originality/valueOutcomes from these studies highlight the potential value of online data collection alongside the necessity for flexibility in designing and conducting qualitative research.