Exploring the use of mobile-device-based audio diaries for asynchronous data collection with nurses during a pandemic
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21258290 |
|---|---|
| Authors | E A Marshall (0000-0001-6171-4312, Franklin & Marshall College, corresponding author), Harriet Okatch (0000-0001-9209-3280, Thomas Jefferson University), Ed Novak (0000-0002-2204-1546, Franklin & Marshall College), Kayla R Cottiers, Kayla Cottiers (Yale University), Latonya Trotter (0000-0002-8053-0882, University of Washington) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Pages | 100648 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | SSM - Qualitative Research in Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2667-3215 • E-ISSN: 2667-3215 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2025.100648 |
| OpenAlex | W4415070080 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 49 |
During pandemics, physical distancing requirements and health care workers’ extended and irregular work hours may exclude many health care workers from studies using typical qualitative data collection methods. The aim of this project was to pilot the use of asynchronous smartphone-based qualitative data collection in research with nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the ethical considerations, study procedures, and lessons learned in recruiting, enrolling, and collecting data from participants using audio diaries recorded on the WhatsApp platform. Participants received text prompts with questions and were asked to respond with audio diary entries in the form of voice recordings. Prompts were sent over a period of 5 weeks. Forty-eight individuals expressed interest in the study, almost half downloaded the WhatsApp app, and 8 responded to one or more prompts. We share methodological considerations and lessons learned about using online enrollment and asynchronous mobile-phone-based audio diaries in longitudinal data collection. We report that using WhatsApp or similar smartphone technology for audio diaries has some important advantages, most notably allowing greater participant anonymity. However, researchers must address obstacles that can lower response rates. We discuss several possible causes for low response rates and suggest study design improvements to address some of them. We note that, despite its limitations, this method may be particularly useful for participants in stigmatized or vulnerable groups, and recommend further exploring the use of smartphone apps for audio diaries in future research
Asynchronous communication · Data collection · Distancing · Health care · Pandemic · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Telemedicine · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |