Digital Qualitative Interviews

Description:

Introduction/Overview

This foundation course provides an overview of the main factors to consider when conducting effective qualitative interviews online using audio visual conferencing. Online qualitative interviews can be a valuable way to conduct social research with a range of diverse groups in synchronous and asynchronous ways. The course covers the principles and benefits of online qualitative interviews, and the challenges when interacting with participants virtually. We focus on how to design, conduct and facilitate a synchronous online interview using technologies such as Zoom. Attendees are provided with guidance and will practice conducting an online qualitative interview. We will explore strategies for enhancing participation, building rapport, and creating an online presence using verbal and non-verbal communication. This foundation course will benefit researchers who already have a basic understanding of qualitative research methods but are new to conducting qualitative interviews in online settings.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Understand the practicalities and benefits of conducting qualitative interviews online.
• Be aware of the main considerations when conducting structured, semi-structured, or unstructured interviews online.
• Be aware of strategies for building rapport with interviewees in online spaces.
• Know about of the role of technology on interactions and how to create an online presence
• Know how to prepare for an online interview.
• Be able to design and run an online qualitative interview via a practical activity.
• Be aware of the ethics of online data collection using interviews.

Topics

This course includes:

• The principles and benefits of online qualitative interviews
• Conducting structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews online
• Synchronous online focus groups and voice and video technologies
• Designing and running your online qualitative interview
• Strategies for encouraging participation and building rapport with participants
• How to create an online presence using verbal and non-verbal communication
• Ethics of online data collection via interview

Who will benefit

This course will benefit those who have experience of qualitative methods, including interviewing, but who wish to explore and practice how to effectively conduct qualitative interviews with a range of participants online.

Learning outcomes

• A good understanding of the issues involved in conducting qualitative interviews online, rather than face to face
• Ability to conduct an online interview via small group practical activities.
• A good understanding of strategies to enhance online communication
• A good understanding of means of building rapport and trust with interviewees.

Course tutor

Dr Karen Lumsden is a sociologist and criminologist at the University of Aberdeen, UK. She has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Aberdeen and has held a number of academic posts including Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham, Associate Professor at the University of Leicester, and at Loughborough University. She has over 15 years’ experience teaching qualitative research methods to doctoral students, academics, practitioners and social researchers. This includes courses at the Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Essex, Kingston, Bristol, Cardiff, and for the Social Research Association. Karen has also designed and delivered research methods training for police officers and staff via the East Midlands Policing Academic Collaboration (EMPAC) and for research consultancies. She has authored a number of academic books and journal articles on qualitative research methods and is on the Editorial Board of the Qualitative Research journal.

Cost:

£180 for SRA members and £235 for non-members

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

International

Keywords:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Data Collection, Data Quality and Data Management , Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Mixed Methods Data Handling and Data Analysis, ICT and Software, Research Management and Impact, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Data Collection
Data Quality and Data Management
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Mixed Methods Data Handling and Data Analysis
ICT and Software
Research Management and Impact
Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

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