How does qualitative data collection modality affect disclosure of sensitive information and participant experience? Findings from a quasi-experimental study

Emily Namey (), Greg Guest, Amy O’Regan, Christine L. Godwin, Jamilah Taylor and Andres Martinez
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Emily Namey: FHI 360, Behavioral, Epidemiological, and Clinical Sciences
Greg Guest: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE)
Amy O’Regan: Duke University School of Medicine
Christine L. Godwin: FHI 360, Behavioral, Epidemiological, and Clinical Sciences
Jamilah Taylor: Duke University School of Medicine
Andres Martinez: FHI 360, Behavioral, Epidemiological, and Clinical Sciences

Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 2022, vol. 56, issue 4, No 24, 2360 pages

Abstract: Abstract Focus groups (FGs) and individual interviews (IDIs) can be conducted in-person or in several different online contexts. We conducted a quasi-experimental study and assessed sharing of sensitive or dissenting information and participant comfort in FGs and IDIs across four modalities: (1) in-person, (2) online video-based, (3) online chat-based (synchronous), and (4) online email/message board-based (asynchronous). Participants were systematically assigned to one of the four modalities and randomized to one of 24 FGs or 48 IDIs (N = 171). The study topic was medical risk during pregnancy. All participants also completed a survey on their perceptions of the data collection process. We found no significant difference in the frequency of disclosure of sensitive information by modality. Text-based FGs (chat and message board) were more likely to contain dissenting opinions than visually-based FGs (in-person and video). Participants also reported feeling less rapport and personal comfort in sharing information in the FG video modality than other modalities. These findings provide initial data that can guide researchers in choosing among data collection modalities to maximize participant engagement and comfort.

Keywords: Qualitative data collection; Online qualitative research; Sensitive information; Research participant experience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11135-021-01217-4

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