Conducting Research Six Feet Apart: The Feasibility of Transitioning Qualitative Research to Meet the Emerging Research Needs During a Pandemic

Abstract

The county-wide lockdowns that were implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in some in-person qualitative research studies needing to be transitioned online using a video conferencing platform. However, evaluating the feasibility of transitioning an ongoing qualitative research study focused on low-income, racial/ethnic minorities had not been performed. Orsmond and Cohn’s feasibility framework was used to evaluate this study in three primary areas: recruitment capability, data collection procedures, and evaluation of relevant resources. Recruitment efforts for the in-person focus groups (January–March 2020) and online focus groups (March–April 2020), along with data collection procedures, were measured through various counts. To gauge the resources needed to transition a study from in-person to online, the administrative capacity, the space, technology, and funds necessary to support the research study were recorded. Sample characteristics were extracted from administrative and survey data. To estimate the differences in the sample characteristics, recruitment efforts and the length of the focus groups before and during the lockdown, independent sample t-tests, or proportion tests were conducted. The sociodemographic characteristics of participants pre-lockdown and during the lockdown were similar between the two groups with most participants identifying as female, Black, single, unemployed. The average number of participants recruited, confirmed, and attended per focus group, along with the total number of contact attempts remained similar before and during the lockdown. The length of the focus groups before and during the lockdown also remained similar. The in-person focus groups did require more financial resources for their successful execution than the online focus groups. It is feasible to sustain a research study focused on low-income, racial/ethnic minorities by transitioning the study from in-person to online using a video conferencing platform. This approach should be considered from the onset of qualitative research studies to increase reach to low-income, racial/ethnic minorities.

Virtual Synchronous Qualitative Data Collection Methods Used in Health and Social Sciences: A Scoping Review of Benefits, Challenges and Practical Insights

“…Researchers should not, however, let these factors prevent them from including those populations and should, with careful advance planning, put strategies in place to facilitate their participation. Examples of such strategies include preparing explanatory documents and holding preparatory workshops, as well as temporarily providing technology or internet access to those who lack it (Aligato et al, 2021; Eigege et al, 2022; Walker, 2013).…”

“…Defining Researchers' Roles Prior to Data Collection. According to the available recommendations, online focus group sessions should include at least two members of the research team, one serving as the moderator/facilitator and another one as the notetaker-but also, more importantly, as the one providing technical support to participants and ensuring that the session runs as smoothly as possible (Eigege et al, 2022;Roberts et al, 2021;Wirtz et al, 2019). On the other hand, just like in a faceto-face setting, the presence of a single research team member acting as both the interviewer and the technical support might be better suited to the context of an individual online interview.…”

Comparing In-Person and Online Modalities for Photo Elicitation Interviews Among a Vulnerable Population: Recruitment, Retention, and Data Collection Applications

“…This study was conducted with a subsample of participants that were a part of a parent study which evaluated an on-campus food distribution program that occurred at a large, urban community college system in the South (Hernandez et al, 2021). Specifically, a sub-sample of participants engaged in focus groups for the purposes of understanding barriers and facilitators to participating in the program (Eigege et al, 2022). At the end of the focus groups, participants ( n = 34) were then invited to participate in photo elicitation interviews (January 2020 – April 2020).…”

Development of a colorectal cancer screening intervention for Alaska Native people during a pandemic year

“…The study team has explored the possibility of conducting virtual focus groups in addition to in-person focus groups. Studies suggest data richness is similar among face-to-face focus groups and online focus groups [ 34 , 35 ]. A potential benefit of conducting virtual focus groups is the ability to invite patients from multiple geographical locations to increase the diversity of perspectives shared [ 36 ].…”