Internet-based platforms are increasingly used to collect qualitative data. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to explore whether data collection mode affects data content and data collection costs. Participants (N = 171) were assigned systematically to one of four modes—(1) in-person (control), (2) online video–based, (3) online chat–based, (4) online e-mail/message board-based—and randomized to individual interview (IDI) or focus group (FG). We conducted 48 IDIs and 24 FGs about medical risk during pregnancy with women in the southeast United States. We found audiovisual (in-person and online video) modes generated significantly greater volumes of data than online text–based modes. However, there were no significant differences in the thematic content among modes, for IDIs or FGs. Online data collection generally cost more per event without travel; in-person IDIs/FGs were more expensive if including travel. Findings offer empirical data for considerations of online versus in-person qualitative data collection.

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定性数据收集模式如何影响数据和成本？准实验研究的结果

基于互联网的平台越来越多地用于收集定性数据。我们进行了一项准实验研究，以探讨数据收集模式是否会影响数据内容和数据收集成本。参与者（N = 171）被系统地分配到四种模式中的一种——（1）面对面（控制），（2）基于在线视频，（3）基于在线聊天，（4）在线电子邮件/消息基于董事会——并随机分配到个人访谈 (IDI) 或焦点小组 (FG)。我们对美国东南部的女性进行了 48 项 IDI 和 24 项 FG，以了解怀孕期间的医疗风险。我们发现视听（面对面和在线视频）模式比基于在线文本的模式产生的数据量要大得多。然而，对于 IDI 或 FG，模式之间的主题内容没有显着差异。在线数据收集通常在没有旅行的情况下每个事件的成本更高 如果包括旅行，面对面的 IDI/FG 会更贵。调查结果为考虑在线与面对面的定性数据收集提供了经验数据。