Harnessing Technology for Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Diary Study Protocol

Abstract

Project Title: Psychosocial Reactions to a Global Pandemic: A Diary Study During COVID-19. Design: The study uses a mixed methods design that includes both a cross-sectional quantitative survey and qualitative diary entries submitted online eight times by student participants. Context of Study: The study timeline spans the full shutdown, phase 1 reopening, and phase 2 reopening of New Orleans Louisiana. Objectives: The study has three primary objectives: (1) To better understand the experiences of Social Work Students during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) To explore risk and protective factors that influences Social Work Students’ ability to cope with stressors and changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) to track changes over time in coping among Social Work Students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Population: Current Master of Social Work (MSW) Students enrolled at Tulane University during the COVID-19 Pandemic will be invited to participate in this study.

Walkie-Talkie Maps – A Novel Method to Conduct and Visualize Remote Ethnography

“…However, during the pandemic, our ability to collect qualitative data in traditional methods was limited, leading to the novel way of conducting remote ethnography described in this article. Among other qualitative methods that were developed as a result of the pandemic (Racionero-Plaza et al, 2021; Saltzman et al, 2021; Rahman et al, 2021; Kobakhidze et al, 2021; Kaufmann et al, 2021; Shamsuddin et al, 2021), our contribution is the combination of data collection method, its analysis and its visualization in a web-based platform that tells the city’s story under mandated social distancing restrictions, as a new form of “visual thick description.” In this discussion, we compare the limitations of our methods to that of other qualitative methods that use advanced technology on top or along side with qualitative methods.…”

Utilizing a Matrix Approach to Analyze Qualitative Longitudinal Research: A Case Example During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our case example is an exploration of a phenomenological QLR study conducted with masters-level social work students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Saltzman et al (2021) published a study protocol article that includes the methodology in greater detail. The goals of the study were to understand the lived experience of Masters of Social Work (MSW) students in real time as they lived through the pandemic, explore risk and protective factors in coping with the stress from COVID-19, and chart changes in coping over time among future social work practitioners.…”

“…Participants were MSW students and enrolled in either the online or on-ground program at Tulane University, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Saltzman et al (2021) began the study in May 2020 as it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic would be protracted. The study spanned the lockdown through the phase 2 reopening of the City of New Orleans.…”

“…This article provides a process and strategy for implementing QLR and analyzing data in online diary entries. In the provided case example, we explore a phenomenological QLR conducted with graduate level students during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Saltzman et al, 2021 ) , and outline a matrix framework for QLR analysis. This paper provides an innovative way in which to engage in qualitative data collection and analysis for social science research.…”

The value, challenges and practical considerations of conducting qualitative research on antimicrobial stewardship in primary care

“…While even pre-COVID-19 pandemic technology was used to collect data, 96 qualitative researchers have rapidly implemented remote data collection methods during the pandemic in order to improve the safety of researchers and participants. 96 Remote data collection may be less needed in the future, but greater understanding of the pros and cons of these methods of data collection gained during this pandemic (e.g. 97–100 ) may encourage researchers to use them beyond this healthcare emergency.…”