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Reflections on Online Focus Group Research With Low Socio-Economic Status African American Adults During Covid-19

Bibliographic Data

ID2411053
AuthorsLorraine Lathen (JumpAtTheSunConsultants,Llc,Mequon), Linnea Laestadius (0000-0003-3272-9317)
Year2021
Volume20
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/16094069211021713
OpenAlexW3166766512
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited30

The COVID-19 pandemic has sped the adoption of online data collection approaches among qualitative researchers. While videoconferencing software has been a tremendous resource for replicating key aspects of the face-to-face focus group environment, online approaches to data collection also face unique challenges. Prior work has offered insights on the value of face-to-face versus online focus groups and strategies for improving the online focus group experience for participants and moderators. However, little has been published on the unique needs of participants from low socio-economic status (SES) populations. In light of the digital divide and the ways in which COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities, researchers must seriously reflect on the ways in which SES and online methods intersect. To address this gap, we present reflections on two online focus groups conducted with low SES African American adults during COVID-19 to offer recommendations on areas of concern and potential solutions for researchers to consider. Three areas stand out as particularly important for reflection: (1) participant privacy, (2) online connectivity, (3) support and time allocations. Greater attention to the impact of SES can help ensure improved opportunities for full and equitable participation, allowing the voices of those who have been marginalized to be heard more clearly

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Data collection · Digital divide · Focus group · Information and Communications Technology · Internet privacy · Multimedia · Pandemic · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Resource (disambiguation · Social science · Sociology · Videoconferencing · Work (physics · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Engineering · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Medicine · Participatory Visual Research Methods · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics

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Unique citing works23
Citations per year4,6
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 23
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