Online, Asynchronous Data Collection in Qualitative Research

Abstract

The authors discuss the use of online, asynchronous data collection in qualitative research. Online interviews can be a valuable way to increase access to marginalized participants, including those with time, distance, or privacy issues that prevent them from participating in face-to-face interviews. The resulting greater participant pool can increase the rigor and validity of research outcomes. The authors also address issues with conducting in-depth asynchronous interviews such as are needed in phenomenology. Advice from the field is provided for rigorous implementation of this data collection strategy. The authors include extensive excerpts from two studies using online, asynchronous data collection.