Qualitative research offers valuable insights into people's experiences, yet a definitive, universally accepted definition of this methodology remains elusive. It encompasses diverse theoretical and methodological approaches, representing both a perspective and a mode of inquiry (Denny and Weckesser, 2018). In qualitative studies, interviews stand as a pivotal tool for data collection. Semi-structured interviews, characterised by researchers posing predetermined questions or topics and subsequently engaging in follow-up discussions with subjects, have the potential to yield profound insights into subjects’ experiences, beliefs and opinions (Peters and Halcomb, 2015).
In the context of nursing and midwifery, it is important to comprehend the intricate behaviours and individual attributes exhibited during interviews for data collection. This understanding is vital, acknowledging the broad scope of the discipline. Researchers must comprehend how mothers engage in interviews, as it allows them to reflect on their personal experiences and biases, thereby illuminating their reflexive presence in research interactions (Elliott, 2011). By exploring the voices and perspectives of mothers themselves, it is possible to attain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences and needs (Bell et al, 2021).
The semi-structured interview is a commonly used method in the field of social sciences (Magaldi and Berler, 2020). The semi-structured interview is a qualitative research technique used to provide comprehensive insights into a person's experiences, views, feelings and motives (Boşnak, 2022). This type of interview is used to collect qualitative data, and typically adheres to a predetermined guide or procedure established before the interview, focusing on a central theme to establish a basic framework (Magaldi and Berler, 2020). However, it also permits exploration, offering flexibility to pursue specific lines of inquiry as the dialogue progresses.
When working with individuals, particularly women, it is imperative to discern the essential characteristics that might influence the research process, especially in data collection. For instance, while some women may readily engage and co-operate in data collection, others might hesitate or pose challenges. Hence, a tailored approach is requisite, contingent on the unique characteristics of the individuals involved.
In collecting data through interviews with mothers, it is crucial to approach the task with sensitivity, being mindful not to disrupt or harm the existing connection. It is important to think about how an interview changes both the person being interviewed and the person doing the interview, which must be carried out in an ethical way that does no harm, as well as how the study process can be unpredictable and the ethical problems that may be raised (Kostovicova and Knott, 2022). Reflexivity is therefore vital in evaluating the data collection process in qualitative studies.
As qualitative research in health professions education expands, it is critical that qualitative researchers use reflexive practices to align their decisions at all phases of the research process and carefully consider their paradigmatic stance (Olmos-Vega et al, 2023). Over the years, there has been a growing interest in formalising the informal practices of reflexivity among qualitative researchers. This has led to the emergence of a new body of scholarship aimed at developing procedures for reflexivity that can be taught alongside more traditional research techniques (Alejandro, 2021). Reflection is one means of leveraging experiential knowledge to foster both professional and personal development, exemplifying a commitment to lifelong learning (Wain, 2017). Reflexivity entails a heightened level of self-awareness, signifying active engagement in the study process (Lambert et al, 2010). For researchers, this involves providing comprehensive and candid explanations of the research process, as well as articulating their stance about the research (Reay, 2012). Through a series of ongoing, co-operative and diverse behaviors, known as reflexivity, researchers examine, assess and critically analyse how their subjectivity and context affect their research procedures (Olmos-Vega et al, 2023).
First reflection: challenges with online interviews
In the field of nursing and midwifery research, interviews serve as a commonly used and reliable method for data collection. Nevertheless, novice researchers may not fully grasp the complexities of data collection through interview approaches, which can be an intimidating prospect. It would be valuable to provide support for researchers who are new to conducting interviews by addressing the practical challenges associated with this process (Peters and Halcomb, 2015).
Interviews offer a platform for capturing and understanding individuals’ narratives, allowing interviewees to express their thoughts in a private setting without the researcher's interference (Bolderston, 2012). An advantage of this approach is that, while researchers may enter the interview with prepared questions or topics, the ability to probe deeper as participants respond can yield robust data that unveils their experiences, perspectives and opinions (Peters and Halcomb, 2015).
There are four types of interviews: face-to-face, group, telephone and email/internet (Bolderston, 2012). Bolderston (2012) highlighted that semi-structured online interviews and virtual focus groups can be facilitated using various online communication tools such as email, instant messaging, video conferencing, chat rooms and discussion boards. It was also noted that online interviews can be categorised into asynchronous (non-real-time) and synchronous (real-time) formats. In the online interview setting, the exchange of text messages occurs between the interviewer and participants (Markham, 2003). To ensure participants’ comfort and security during online interviews, they must clearly understand how the interviews will be conducted. Researchers must establish protocols for accessing the target population and obtain consent from all participants (James and Busher, 2006).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person meetings were restricted, online interviews became a prevalent method for gathering data in qualitative studies. A study in Italy that aimed to illustrate the planning stages of the study process, which entailed conducting interviews with highly qualified Italians residing abroad, opted for online interviews because of both geographical constraints and COVID-19 restrictions (Samuk Carignani and Burchi, 2022). Likewise, in response to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, some researchers chose to use virtual communication (Sah et al, 2020). Factors such as time and financial limitations, geographical dispersion and physical mobility constraints have all been cited as reasons for choosing online interviews (Janghorban et al, 2014). In the UK, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of adults living with long-term COVID-19 (Day, 2022). Zoom interviews were used for data collection because of the participants’ geographical dispersion and their prolonged experience with COVID-19 (Day, 2022).
Online interviews require the use of virtual and internet-based communication platforms. According to James and Busher (2006), experts addressing challenges in web-based interviewing refer to the interactive space as ‘cyberspace’, which relies on computer-mediated communication. This form of interaction profoundly influences social dynamics, affording individuals the opportunity to co-create their everyday reality with both geographically proximate and distant counterparts in terms of time and space. However, online interviews also entail reported drawbacks, including time delays, potential participant distractions, issues with participant engagement and motivation, language considerations, technical proficiency, technological glitches, accessibility concerns, identity verification and the absence of non-verbal cues (Samuk Carignani and Burchi, 2022). Varying time zones can further complicate online interviews, especially for international participants, and they may also lack certain aspects of ethnographic research, such as the observation of body language and attire (Sang et al, 2013). To ensure a smooth interview process, it is important to communicate the approximate interview duration to participants and provide contact information in case they need to cancel or reschedule (Bolderston, 2012). Whenever possible, interviews should be conducted in comfortable and convenient settings, as this is essential for both the interviewees and the researchers.
Nevertheless, maintaining the quality of interaction during online interviews can sometimes be challenging, and potential issues include interruptions and loss of focus. Even when software and internet connections are reliable, disruptions to synchronicity can occur, such as interruptions, low battery, unexpected visitors or incoming phone calls (Samuk Carignani and Burchi, 2022). For mothers with babies, distractions can include infants crying or needing to attend to their babies’ breastfeeding needs. It is important to acknowledge that breastfeeding is a demand-driven activity and cannot be postponed, as babies will persist in crying and require their mothers’ attention.
A quantitative study conducted by the Centre for Psychosocial Medicine at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, examined the early mother-to-child bond among a community sample of 101 mother–child dyads. This study aimed to identify the prospective effects of the early mother-infant bond on child development and emphasised the distinctive influence of the mother–infant connection on child behaviour, which extends beyond the impact of maternal psychopathology (Fuchs et al, 2016). Consequently, in instances where babies cry during the interview session, researchers should opt to pause the interview and allow the mothers to tend to their infants first. This upholds the mother-infant bonding process and mitigates the potential adverse effects of excessive crying.
In the authors’ research experiences, there can be additional obstacles when conducting interviews with mothers, particularly when using online platforms. For example, a baby may become restless, often leading to increased fussiness and crying, and subsequently hindering a mother's ability to participate effectively in the interview. It is essential to acknowledge that crying is a natural facet of an infant's life. However, when crying becomes excessive, it can potentially have adverse consequences, placing families at risk of strained relationships, heightened parenting stress and in cases of prolonged and intense crying, even raising concerns about potential child abuse (Gilkerson et al, 2020). Unsettled babies can be a significant distraction for mothers during interviews, as they attempt to juggle both responding to interview questions and soothing their infants. Factors such as sleepiness, hunger, the need to be changed or boredom can cause a baby to become unsettled. Therefore, it is ideal to conduct interviews when babies are in a relatively stable condition. However, it is important to acknowledge that a baby's state can be unique and unpredictable. In such cases, it is necessary to pause the interview to allow mothers to attend to their babies and provide comfort.
Recognising the potential negative impact of excessive crying, the authors came to understand the importance of prioritising the child's wellbeing when carrying out their own research. Consequently, the author patiently waited, temporarily suspending the interview process. Once the baby had settled, the mother returned to continue the interview. This approach ensured that both the mother and baby were comfortable and able to fully participate in the interview. This flexibility not only demonstrates empathy and understanding on the part of the interviewer, but also contributes to a more productive and respectful interview process.
During the second phase of the authors’ research interviews, it was apparent that some mothers were not as motivated or focused. They often had their babies with them, which led to noticeable distractions during the interview. This dual focus, on both the interview questions and attending to their babies, resulted in a lack of concentration between the researcher and the mothers and it became necessary to arrange for another interview session. Regrettably, participants were not enthusiastic about rescheduling the interview. Additionally, there was concern that they might already be familiar with the questions, potentially leading to rehearsed and unnatural responses that might not provide accurate information. In essence, rescheduling a meeting after having to cut short or postpone the initial one proved to be challenging.
Another challenge encountered in online interviews is the reliability of the internet connection. While there are various platforms available for conducting online interviews, such as Zoom, Skype and Google Meet, they all rely on a stable and satisfactory internet connection. In remote areas where internet access is limited or unavailable, using online platforms for interviews may not be feasible or suitable. This limitation needs to be taken into consideration when planning and conducting online interviews.
Second reflection: opting for an alternative data collection approach
On scrutinising the data collection process, the authors encountered challenges in co-ordinating new interview times with mothers, especially when they had their babies with them. This prompted the authors to contemplate a shift in the data collection method, transitioning from online interviews to an online survey format using Google Forms. A Google Form was created that mirrored the open-ended questions outlined in the interview guidelines. Given that online questionnaires featuring open-ended inquiries have been widely used in prior studies for qualitative data gathering, it was decided that this method would be suitable for the purposes of the study. It was then necessary to address ethical considerations, as participants needed to be made aware of the alteration to the data collection method as a result of the challenges faced during the interview process (Kuhnke et al, 2019; Palmer et al, 2019; Sizoo et al, 2020).
Implications for future studies
The insights that the authors gained from the reflective process when considering data collection method can be used as a guide to improve data collection in future research involving mothers with young children. It is important to consider both the timing of the interviews, and the reliability of internet connection, when deciding whether an online interview is suitable for participants in midwifery research.
Timing considerations
Given that infants do not adhere to fixed schedules and their needs vary, it is imperative to collaborate with mothers to establish suitable interview timings that align with the routines and daily activities of both mothers and their babies. This involves discussing common concerns related to fixed schedules, such as identifying times when children are typically less unsettled, hungry or sleepy, as well as periods when children are likely to be asleep, enabling mothers to fully engage in the online interview without interruptions. Moreover, it is crucial to gain an understanding of routine responsibilities, including household tasks and caregiving roles, to ensure minimal distractions during the interview.
Internet connection
The viability of online interview platforms relies entirely on the availability of a reliable and effective internet connection. Any issues with the internet, such as disruptions, unclear audio, unexpected dropouts or fuzzy video, have the potential to disrupt the flow of the interview and discussion. This can subsequently have a detrimental effect on the quality of the data collected.
What I do
Human beings possess distinctive characteristics, personalities and behaviours. Consequently, qualitative studies involving individuals require meticulous planning to ensure smooth and efficient data collection. It is important to acknowledge that controlling every potential interruption is unfeasible, as numerous factors are beyond our control. Nonetheless, we can proactively anticipate and appropriately address potential disruptions during data collection. This may involve identifying alternative activities if initial measures prove ineffective. It is not about adopting a pessimistic outlook, but rather about ensuring that any arising issues do not significantly impact a study's progression, allowing it to conclude as initially planned.
Conclusions
Interviewing mothers of newborns and young children presents unique challenges, with arrangements differing significantly from interviews with individual participants and a greater potential for interruptions. Therefore, it is crucial to approach online interviews with mothers in this demographic with careful consideration. This article serves as a guide for future data collection efforts, as it encourages early identification of alternative solutions to potential challenges that may arise during the data collection process. By being proactive and adaptive, researchers can enhance the effectiveness of their data collection methods in similar contexts in the future.