Article
Digitally shaped ethnographic relationships during a global pandemic and beyond
Qualitative Research
(2021)
Abstract
Social distancing and public safety measures enacted in response to COVID-19 created a
surge in methodological “advice” for researchers facing disruption to fieldwork. Resources
and publications frequently encouraged changes vis-a-vis digitally enhanced
methods or employment of digital ethnography. For ethnographers, the establishment
and maintenance of ethnographic relationships in pandemic contexts restricted to virtual
interactions has not been thoroughly explored, leaving those trained in recruitment,
rapport-building, and field engagement with fewer resources to navigate this integral
topic. Here, we provide insights into how ethnographic relationships may be developed
when there is limited access to the field and traditional relationship building is not
possible. We argue that as ethnographic methods change and adapt, so too must perspectives
on ethnographic relationship development. By closely examining ethnographic
relationships confined to digital spaces in the context of the Tennessee tornado recovery
amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this project sheds light on how to overcome this
challenge.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2021
DOI
10.1177/14687941211052275
Citation Information
Jaymelee J Kim, Amanda Reinke and Erin R. Eldridge. "Digitally shaped ethnographic relationships during a global pandemic and beyond" Qualitative Research Vol. 0 (2021) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/amandareinke/34/