Conducting Asynchronous Online Interviews Using a Message Board
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
14-1-2021 3:00 PM
End Date
14-1-2021 3:20 PM
Abstract
The paper presents findings of a methodological analysis on asynchronous online interviewing using a message board, as examined in a qualitative research project in a sociological context.
Based on computer-mediated communication (CMC), online interviewing is considered advantageous because of overcoming restrictions accompanying face-to-face interviewing, such as a locally or finically limited scope of recruiting interviewees or as currently experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current state of research argues that online interviewing enables the collection of enriched narrative or discursive data if conducted in writing and asynchronous. Both features would lead to a reflexive approach to the thoughts, experiences, or insights of interviewees by favoring a self-disclosure, which is based on potentially anonymous and disembodied communication. While E-Mail is the state of the research medium and semi-structured interviewing the preferred technique, it remains uncertain if the use of other CMC-media could benefit shaping semi-structured interviewing.
The paper addresses this issue by presenting recent findings of a research project, which examined the use value of a message board, reachable by web interface or mobile app, for semi-structured asynchronous online interviewing. Based on a sociological approach to reconstruct views on single moms who depend on welfare in Germany, nine semi-structured asynchronous online interviews were conducted. The paper outlines the challenges and practicability of a message board as the medium for online interviewing, the effects on semi-structured online interviewing, and the data gathered this way. This approach broadens the perspective on asynchronous online interviewing and discusses its potential for qualitative research.
Keywords
Qualitative Methods, Online Research, Asynchronous semi-structured Interviews, Written Inquiries
Conducting Asynchronous Online Interviews Using a Message Board
The paper presents findings of a methodological analysis on asynchronous online interviewing using a message board, as examined in a qualitative research project in a sociological context.
Based on computer-mediated communication (CMC), online interviewing is considered advantageous because of overcoming restrictions accompanying face-to-face interviewing, such as a locally or finically limited scope of recruiting interviewees or as currently experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current state of research argues that online interviewing enables the collection of enriched narrative or discursive data if conducted in writing and asynchronous. Both features would lead to a reflexive approach to the thoughts, experiences, or insights of interviewees by favoring a self-disclosure, which is based on potentially anonymous and disembodied communication. While E-Mail is the state of the research medium and semi-structured interviewing the preferred technique, it remains uncertain if the use of other CMC-media could benefit shaping semi-structured interviewing.
The paper addresses this issue by presenting recent findings of a research project, which examined the use value of a message board, reachable by web interface or mobile app, for semi-structured asynchronous online interviewing. Based on a sociological approach to reconstruct views on single moms who depend on welfare in Germany, nine semi-structured asynchronous online interviews were conducted. The paper outlines the challenges and practicability of a message board as the medium for online interviewing, the effects on semi-structured online interviewing, and the data gathered this way. This approach broadens the perspective on asynchronous online interviewing and discusses its potential for qualitative research.