Collecting qualitative data during a pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Medical sociology
• Qualitative research methodologies
• Digital ethnography

Background:

• Traditional qualitative research relies on physical co-presence for data collection, particularly in medical settings like patient interviews and encounter observations.
• The COVID-19 pandemic rendered in-person qualitative data collection impractical, posing significant challenges to ongoing and future research.
• Existing research paradigms need adaptation to accommodate the limitations imposed by global health crises and the increasing digitization of society.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to in-person qualitative research in medical contexts.
• To propose alternative strategies for researchers to maintain presence and gather data remotely.
• To encourage a re-evaluation of the concept of 'field presence' in the digital age.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of methodological adaptations for qualitative research.
• Exploration of digital tools and techniques for remote data collection.
• Reconsideration of the definition and application of 'field presence' in contemporary research.

Main Results:

• The pandemic necessitated innovative approaches to qualitative data collection, moving beyond traditional co-presence.
• Digital methodologies can offer viable alternatives for observing interactions and interviewing participants remotely.
• The concept of 'presence' in qualitative research can be reconceptualized to include virtual and mediated forms of engagement.

Conclusions:

• Qualitative researchers must adapt their methods to overcome the limitations of physical co-presence, especially in medical research.
• The pandemic accelerated the need to embrace digital tools and redefine 'field presence' for robust qualitative inquiry.
• Future qualitative research, particularly in healthcare, should integrate flexible and digitally-enabled methodological frameworks.