The Impact of Face Mask Usage on Data Quality in Face-to-face Interviews

Bibliographic Data

ID5577650
AuthorsManuela Schmidt (0009-0000-7964-9053, University of Bonn, corresponding author), Karoline R Estermann (Freie Universität Berlin)
Year2025
Volume38
Issue1
Pages19-32
Publication date2025-10-17
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCAM (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1087-8513 • E-ISSN: 1552-3969
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1525822x251348080
OpenAlexW4415300547
LanguageEN
References cited20

During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face surveys changed their mode of data collection due to contact restrictions and quarantine regulations. We report the experiences from the fifth wave of our panel in Cologne, Germany ( n = 915). Data collection took place after the peak of the pandemic (summer 2022), maintaining the face-to-face mode of previous waves, with 30% of participants opting for the interviewer to wear a face mask. We find that a preference for face mask usage is not linked to the sociodemographic characteristics of participants. Interviewers reported feeling good and safe conducting face-to-face interviews despite potential infection risks. We also find no effects on item nonresponse and length of interview. And even though the open-ended responses decreased in length, their qualitative content was not affected by the face masks. These results provide a positive outlook for researchers planning to conduct face-to-face interviews in challenging times or with at-risk populations

Data collection · Data quality · Face (sociological concept) · Feeling · Interview · Qualitative research · Quality (philosophy) · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Survey Methodology and Nonresponse

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