Strengths and Limitations of an Online Qualitative Survey in Times of Social Crisis

Example of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Bibliographic Data

ID12875511
AuthorsBeata Bielska (0000-0002-5458-2435, Nicolaus Copernicus University, corresponding author), Katarzyna Kalinowska (0000-0003-2657-6107, Collegium Civitas), Sylwia Męcfal (0000-0002-2063-7207, University of Lodz), Adrianna Surmiak (0000-0001-5971-8533, University of Warsaw)
Year2024
Volume20
Issue4
Pages78-100
Publication date2024-10-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Sociology Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1733-8077 • E-ISSN: 1733-8077
PublisherUniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.18778/1733-8077.20.4.04
OpenAlexW4404965206
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited54

The aim of the article is to argue that an online qualitative survey (OQS) is a useful research technique that is feasible to apply during a social crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. An OQS has an unclear status in the spectrum of research techniques, as it combines features of quantitative and qualitative research, and there is little recognition in the literature of its advantages and disadvantages in the context of other research techniques used during a social crisis. We describe our research experiences of using this technique and the experiences of our survey participants. We also compare the strengths and limitations of using an OQS during the COVID-19 pandemic against other techniques used at the time

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Pandemic · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Social science · Sociology · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Medicine · Qualitative Research Methods and Applications · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics · Virology