Looking at the 'field' through a Zoom lens: Methodological reflections on conducting online research during a global pandemic
Overview
Paper Summary
Online fieldwork, while different from traditional in-person methods, can be surprisingly immersive and revealing. The author found that online interactions allowed for more relaxed conversations, revealed different aspects of participants' lives, and facilitated a more symmetrical researcher-participant relationship, even within the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic context.
Explain Like I'm Five
This is like when you use a video call to talk to a friend far away. Scientists found that talking to people online for their research was really helpful, and people felt relaxed enough to share more things!
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
The paper presents a thoughtful reflection on the author's experience conducting online research during the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of using digital methods for qualitative research, particularly for ethnographic studies. While the study's specific context and limited sample size pose limitations to generalizability, the in-depth analysis and reflexive approach strengthen its contribution to methodological discussions in the field.
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