Benefits and constraints of e-mail interviews and discussions as methods of accessing valid data.

1. Methods@Plymouth 2011 Benefits and constraints of e-mail interviews and discussions as methods of accessing valid data. Dr Anne Roberts 2011

2. Aims……. • This paper will discuss the benefits and constraints of e-mail interviews and discussion groups as methods of accessing valid data, based on two recent small studies conducted at the University of Plymouth.

3. Using e-mail; and on-line discussions • Email interviews- asynchronous, in-depth,multiple e-mail exchanges, not viewed by others • On-line discussions-asynchronous, multiple e-mail exchanges, viewed by others

4. Recent studies on which these reflections are based. • Email interviews on defining occupation. • 6 occupational therapists around the world • Interpretative phenomenological analysis • On-line discussion as part of a practice scholar study. • 12 participants in SW region • Thematic analysis

5. Using e-mail and on-line discussions Opportunities • Not constrained to local populations • Cost: time & travel • Accessibility • Convenience • Iterative • Pace..time to reflect • Familiar environment

6. Using e-mail; and on-line discussion Challenges • Authenticity • Mediation • Absence of non verbal communication, questions open to misinterpretation, lack of direct probing • Access to internet

7. Ethical issues • Trust • Expectations (how much time, how many times they will be contacted) • Consent • Confidentiality • Protection from harm • Withdrawal

8. Issues • Recruiting a sample • Length of study (Long drawn out studies lead to frustration and drop-outs Hodgson 2004) depends on number of participants, number of questions, degree of commitment of participants and researcher/project timescale • Send questions 1 at a time? Embedded in the e-mail message rather than attached (Dommeyer and Moriarty 2000) • Delays in responding…how many reminders? Respond by dates. • Authenticity (including offline interviews) • Data quality comparable to face to face (Meho 2006) “reflectively dense accounts” p1291 • Communication- body language, advantages for sensitive or “difficult” topics? Eliminates possible interviewer effects in asking the questions. Greater disclosure? Embellishment? Literacy? Empowering as in control (Meho 2006)

9. References • Dommeyer C J and Moriarty E (2000) Comparing two forms of an e-mail survey: Embedded vs. attached. International Journal of Market Research 42 (1) 39-50 • James N (2007) The use of e-mail interviewing as a qualitative method of inquiry in educational research. British Educational Research Journal 33 (6) 963-976 • James N and Busher H (2007) Ethical issues in online educational research: protecting privacy, establishing authenticity in e-mail interviewing. International Journal of Research & Method in Education 30 (1) 101-113 • Kraut R, Olson J, Banaji M, Bruckman A, Cohen J, Couper M (2004) Psychological research online: report of board of scientific affairs’ advisory group on the conduct of research on the Internet. American Psychologist 59(2) 105-117 • Meho L I (2006.) E-mail interviewing in qualitative research: a methodological discussion. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. 57 (10) 1284-1295

10. Any questions? • Thank you for your attention. • Contact: Dr Anne Roberts anne.roberts@plymouth.ac.uk 01752 851457