Practical Considerations in Qualitative Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (18th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Varma, Deepthi S.; Young, Mary E.; Kreider, Consuelo M.; Williams, Katherine; Vaddiparti, Krishna; Parisi, Christina; Semeah, Luz M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of qualitative methods. Volume 20(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-18
• Subjects: online interviews -- methods in qualitative inquiry -- observational research -- virtual environments -- social justice; Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; Qualitative Research -- Periodicals; Qualitative research; Social sciences -- Philosophy; Social sciences -- Research; Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/16094069211043755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1609-4069

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced both quantitative and qualitative health researchers to adapt and strategize data collection strategies without causing any harm to the participants or researchers. This has resulted in utilizing various types of strategies such as online surveys and synchronous virtual platforms such as Zoom and Webex. This transition from face-to-face to synchronous online platforms has helped in increasing coverage as well as reaching participants who are otherwise unreachable. While quantitative health researchers seem to have made a seamless transition to synchronous online platforms, qualitative health researchers who rely on studying participants in their "real-world-settings" are facing unique challenges with online data collection strategies. This article critically examines the benefits and challenges of implementing qualitative health research studies via synchronous online platforms and provides several practical considerations that can inform qualitative health researchers. It can also assist Institutional Review Board members in reviewing and implementing qualitative health research study protocols in a manner that preserves the integrity, richness, and iterative nature of qualitative research methodology.