Are you doing more online qualitative research these days? That’s fantastic. Even if the reason for the shift is not so fantastic. A lot of our students and clients have told us that they are doing more online qualitative research, as in-person qualitative research is obviously not feasible at this time.
But there is an issue that I want to bring to your attention. As researchers start to use online qualitative, they are often defaulting to the online versions of the methodology they were planning to use. So, if they were planning to do in-person focus groups, now they’re planning to do online focus groups. If they were planning to do in-person in-depth interviews (IDIs), now they are looking at webcam or telephone IDIs.
But wait! If you are going to be making the change to online qual, I recommend that before making those switches that you hit pause, and carefully consider all of your online qual choices. Depending on your project’s specific objectives and the target population of interest, you may find that a different online qual option may actually better meet your needs (and budget). So please be sure that you’re considering all of your online qual options, which these days include:
- Idea voting platforms
- Mobile ethnography (which some people call self-ethnography)
- Online bulletin boards
- Online focus groups (chat-based)
- Online focus groups (video-based)
- Online projective technique tools
- Telephone IDIs (OK not strictly “online”, but not in-person either)
- UX testing apps (some of which have cool video capture and management features)
- Webcam IDIs
Coming Soon! Mobile & Online Qualitative Research Methods starts in a few short weeks. No travel required! The next real-time session taught in the Research Rockstar virtual classroom: June 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 11:00AM – 12:30PM Eastern, online.
Not sure? Here is a bit more about what you’ll learn:
Do you want to broaden the number of online qualitative research methods at your disposal? Taught by Instructor Kathryn Korostoff, topics in this 4-week program include social media research, online focus groups, crowdsourcing (idea management and prediction market platforms), webcam research, online projective methods, and more. Includes examples, demonstrations and exercises. By the end of this 4-week course, students will know when to recommend these methods, how to plan for these projects, and how to set clear expectations with clients and colleagues about their benefits and limitations.
Note: this course is eligible for the Insights Association Certificate in Qualitative Research Principles.
Want a printable course calendar? Click Here
Already a Backstage Pass Full Access or VIP Member? Then access to these live sessions is already in your dashboard. Have a Backstage Pass On-demand? The recorded lectures and related materials are available to you 24/7. Just go to the Training Portal, see “My Dashboard” and find your course. Click “Start Course” in any courses you want! If you plan to attend any course in real-time, please use the form here to save your spot. Not a member? We have options.
