Methods@Plymouth 2011
Benefits and constraints of e-mail
interviews and discussions as
methods of accessing valid data.
Dr Anne Roberts
2011
Faculty of Health
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.
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Using e-mail; and on-line
discussions
 Email interviewsasynchronous, indepth,multiple e-mail
exchanges, not
viewed by others
 On-line discussionsasynchronous,
multiple e-mail
exchanges, viewed by
others
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Recent studies on which these
reflections are based.
 Email interviews on
defining occupation.
 6 occupational
therapists around the
world
 Interpretative
phenomenological
analysis
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 On-line discussion as
part of a practice
scholar study.
 12 participants in SW
region
 Thematic analysis
Using e-mail and on-line
discussions
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Opportunities
Not constrained to
local populations
Cost: time & travel
Accessibility
Convenience
Iterative
Pace..time to reflect
Familiar environment
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Using e-mail; and on-line
discussion

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Challenges
Authenticity
Mediation
Absence of non verbal
communication,
questions open to
misinterpretation, lack
of direct probing
Access to internet
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Ethical issues
 Trust
 Expectations (how much time, how many times
they will be contacted)
 Consent
 Confidentiality
 Protection from harm
 Withdrawal
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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)
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References
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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
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Any questions?
 Thank you for your
attention.
 Contact:
Dr Anne Roberts
anne.roberts@plymouth.ac.uk
01752 851457
Faculty of Health