JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Internet or online-based research is rapidly increasing, offering multiple benefits for researchers. However, various challenges in online data collection have been illustrated in prior research, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. To add to the literature on best practices for online qualitative data collection, we present four case studies in which each research team experienced challenges unique to online qualitative research and had to modify their research approaches to preserve data quality or integrity. The first two case examples describe issues with using social media to recruit hard-to-reach populations, the third example demonstrates the challenge in engaging adolescents in sensitive conversations online, and the final example discusses both the issues in recruitment and the use of different modalities in collecting data to accommodate the medical needs of study participants. Based on these experiences, we provide guidance and future directions for journals and researchers in collecting qualitative data online.