RSUSCI-2022 & RSUSOC-2022

From Face to Face to Remote Technologies: The New Normal in Data Collection

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ellenita R. Red
Enrique T. Yuchengco College of Business, Malayan Colleges Laguna, Philippines
Keynote SOC-G3

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has yielded unprecedented challenges on anyone conducting research and has immensely disrupted traditional data collection methods such as face-to-face interview, observation, and pen and paper survey. Also, Academic research has faced substantial disruption with laboratories being closed, fieldwork suspended, limited in-person activities, and research training abruptly halted. With all these on hand, researchers must be able to identify alternatives to the traditional ways of doing research. In particular, this study looked at the challenges encountered in the conduct of research during the pandemic such as sharing documents remotely in low-network settings is hard, redesigning instrument since phone surveys require shorter, simpler instruments to ensure quality and reduce fatigue, reliability of collected data remotely, and building trust without face-to-face interaction requires patience. In addition, an analysis was conducted of the undergraduate thesis of a private institution on the how they have utilized different technologies on the conduct of their research. For groups which used quantitative research design, all was successful in using online survey and the selected software administration tool was Google Forms and the link was shared via different social media such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and Email. As for those who did qualitative research design, some successfully utilized online interviews and selected Zoom for their video conference, however, two groups were forced to conduct face-to-face interviews due to unavailability of their respondents and access to technology.


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