Qualitative Online Surveys: Lessons Learned From COVID-19

Abstract

Although surveys are most frequently associated with quantitative research, a growing number of scholars are using surveys for qualitative studies, or qualitative-dominated mixed-method or multimethod projects. Asynchronous and self-administered online surveys have many advantages and few disadvantages, especially for emerging or under-resourced researchers. This case study describes how an interdisciplinary research team developed an online, qualitative-first cross-sectional survey to distribute during the COVID-19 pandemic and shares lessons learned and tips for designing the survey instrument, choosing an approach to sampling, and distributing the survey. Recommendations for analyzing data using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software and with an interdisciplinary team are shared, as well as suggestions for presenting findings.

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