Online Interviews and Surveys: Essential Resources for Digital Research
By Faustino McCalla St Luce, Marketing Assistant, Library, Sage
Over the last decade, digital research methods have become fundamental tool for data collection for researchers working across social science disciplines. Whether conducting qualitative interviews via Zoom or deploying large-scale surveys through digital platforms, these approaches offer accessibility, efficiency, and a broad reach. Yet, it must be highlighted that they also present unique challenges – from ensuring ethical conduct to navigating technical constraints.
To support researchers in mastering these methods, Sage’s Doing Research Online collection offers invaluable guidance. This meaningfully curated resource features expert insights, practical case studies, videos, datasets and how-to guides, alongside hands-on strategies for conducting robust online research.
Below, we highlight three new pieces from the collection, available for free for the readers of Sage Research Methods Community blog:
Erin Sappio delves into the fundamentals of designing and implementing effective online surveys, covering best practices for question construction, sampling strategies, and response rates.
Focusing on online interviews, Aimee Quickfall and Phil Wood explore how to establish rapport in virtual settings, ensure ethical data collection, and navigate platform-specific challenges.
Elizabeth Hurst’s case study illustrates the application of online interviews and surveys in a real-world research project, demonstrating the method’s adaptability and effectiveness.
Aimed at researchers, educators, and students, Doing Research Online provides a strong foundation for conducting high-quality online research while addressing the evolving challenges of digital methodologies. If you find these resources valuable, you can recommend the collection to your institution’s librarians using this form.
