Asynchronous Online Communication for Qualitative Research

This entry focuses on asynchronous written online communication, whereby the communication partners are not simultaneously present (on the screen) and communicate to each other with a time lag. Mainly, it is about the opportunities, this kind of data could possibly offer to qualitative research when used for questioning (interviews and group discussions). Written asynchronous online communication (e.g., via email, web forums, WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram posts and comments) has become a part of everyday life, and one can assume that individuals use it to realize certain actions or to understand themselves and others. Therefore, it is also being increasingly used for qualitative questioning, although its actual gains for qualitative research and the exact techniques necessary for conducting such “talks” are still relatively unclear. Frequently, qualitative ...