Using video-conferencing for observations and interviews: Gathering data from ‘home’ while studying in New Zealand

Abstract

The article documents the reflections on gathering data from the home country via distance while living and studying in New Zealand. These reflections strengthen the idea that data collection via distance could be a viable solution in circumstances where face-to-face data collection may not be an option. Three threads: negotiations, insider advantage of establishing relationships, and support systems to facilitate patterns of communication are elaborated to discuss challenges and strategies adopted to mitigate the challenges. The growing popularity and access to video-conferencing technologies indicate broader usability of such technologies to conduct data collection. This article has implications for new researchers or doctoral students who intend to collect data from home countries, especially in times of border closures due to Covid-19.