TEACHING AND LEARNING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ONLINE IN JAMAICA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Navigating the Loss of the Natural Field Setting

Abstract

Qualitative research focuses on an in-depth understanding of particular phenomena in their natural setting, as they naturally occur. Thus, qualitative course facilitators should provide opportunities for their students to have hands-on, experiential practice with various facets of the research process, including exposure to data collection in the natural field setting. This paper focuses on an introductory qualitative research course for students in the discipline of education at a university in the Caribbean. Initially designed so that class activities and assignments facilitate students’ entry into the field, the course had to transition to online delivery, with activities and assignments that were virtual, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a generic qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight participants (course facilitators and students) to explore experiences teaching and learning qualitative research online during the pandemic. Amongst the findings are that prior teaching and learning online makes the transition easy and uninterrupted and lecturers’ abilities to shift pedagogical approaches are imperative to successful course delivery. Findings will be useful for those engaging in online qualitative research course delivery both during times of emergency and beyond.