Open AccessConducting Virtual Qualitative Interviews with International Key Informants: Insights from a Research Project
Author(s) -
Chanee Fabius,
Roberto J. Millar,
Laura Girling,
Phyllis Cummins,
Takashi Yamashita
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4909
Subject(s) - qualitative research , focus group , key (lock) , interview , psychology , sociology , engineering ethics , public relations , knowledge management , political science , computer science , engineering , social science , computer security , anthropology
There is an increasing need for cross-cultural qualitative studies in an era of globalization. A focus group of five researchers, who were involved in a large international research project, identified effective strategies and challenges associated with five key domains of qualitative research with key informants: identification, recruitment, preparation, conducting the interview, and follow-up. Content analysis revealed nuanced tactics related to effective strategies and challenges associated with each domain. Examples of effective strategies include interview preparation to understand the specific expertise of the interviewee and allowing the informant to offer additional information beyond the questions asked. Challenges included technical difficulties with virtual platforms and scheduling interviews in multiple time zones. These findings provide practical guidelines for researchers conducting virtual interviews with international key informants.