Janet Salmons, Ph.D. Download the handout at Download the handout at

InstructorLearner OtherResearcher

1. Introductions and Overview 2. Data Collection for Qualitative Research 3. Overview of Online Research Methods 4. Ethical Issues in Online Data Collection 5. Focus on Online Interviews 6. Teaching or Guiding Learners to Collect Data Online 7. Summary

 Make sure research design and technology choices are appropriate to purpose of the study.  Make sure proposed study will meet ethical guidelines.

In-depth responses to questions Data: verbatim quotations with context Interviews Fieldwork Data: notes and descriptions Observations Review of written records Data: excerpts Document Analysis

Synchronous interviews using text, multi-media or Second Life Asynchronous interviews via Online Interviews External observer Participant observer Observations Review of digital records Document Analysis

A Survey B Library or Document C Poll D Interview E Other

Principles of Fair Information Processing Online Informed Consent Confidentiality

Why interview? In-depth interviews are about obtaining specific information that later will be analyzed (Rubin & Rubin, 2005). Qualitative interviewing tends to be seen as involving the construction or reconstruction of knowledge more than the excavation of it (Mason, 2002). “Research questions that explore an online phenomenon are strengthened through the use of a method of research that closely mirrors the natural setting under investigation” (Geiser, 2002). Why interview online?

PROS  Ability to tap geographically dispersed sample.  Ability to generate visual as well as verbal data.  Eliminate transcription bias. CONS  Fewer face-to-face, non- verbal cues.  Lack of context, observation in the environment.  Sample limited to people with access to online space and microphone, etc.

Speak through microphone Speak using webcam Verbal Prepared in advance Added during interview Written text How will interviewer introduce the research topic and purpose of the study? How will interviewer pose questions? What kind of tools will interviewee use to respond?

Charts, diagrams or illustrations Media or immersive Digital artifacts Visual Websites or online examples Desktop Shared applications Live

Which is appropriate for online interviews?

Standard Open-Ended Questions can be organized as slides, using images, media and words. Interview Guide Interviewer can speak questions or post them on shared whiteboard as the interview progresses. Interviewee can respond with spoken and written words and images.

Communication about the issues and process of the interview. Preparation Conduct the interview. Interview Allow interviewee to review the interview and clarify or add to points. Follow-Up

Introducing the Research Research purpose and questions Review information from prep stage Beginning the Interview Foundation: context and definition Questioning Main questions Use visual tools Following Up and Probing Ending the Interview

Design?Technology?Ethics?

“Always be suspicious of data collection that goes according to plan” (Patton, 2002, p. 207).

 Visit for more materials about e-learning.  Look for Online Interviews in Real Time from Sage Publications next fall!