ERIGAL Workshop: Research and Methodological Approaches in Times of COVID-19. Challenges and Potential Alternatives.
On Thursday, 28 May, ERIGAL held an on-line methodological workshop on "Methodological Research and Approaches in the Time of COVID-19: Challenges and Potential Alternatives" for its members.
The objective of this workshop was twofold: to learn about the situations of ÉRIGAL's members and the impact of the pandemic crisis situation on their research, but also to present methodological alternatives to research involving ethnographic fieldwork.
Three professors from ÉRIGAL had prepared some thoughts on alternative data collection methods:
Julián Durazo Hermann explained the workings of online documentary research, including the search for official and scientific documents as well as the analysis of discourse.
Manuel Balán developed the methods of media content analysis, including an invitation to understand not only the content of the media but also their position in the media world and in relation to government, the issues at stake and the limits that emerge.
And finally, Françoise Montambeault proposed reflections on an online ethnographic approach. Among the possible alternatives, she mentioned the possibility of conducting online interviews, and even online observation by being integrated into closed discussion groups on social networks, for example.
However, these alternatives methods present ethical challenges that will require in-depth reflection in the coming months.
In conclusion, the professors call for the diversification of methodological tools in research to overcome the limitations imposed by the context of the global pandemic.
