Recruiting for and Conducting Virtual Focus Groups and Interviews with Low-Income Populations during COVID-19

Many qualitative researchers have weighed the costs and benefits of conducting focus groups and interviews at a distance (Krueger & Casey, 2009) and the possibilities and promise of using digital tools and synchronous online platforms for qualitative data collection (Morrison, Lichtenwald, & Tang, 2020; Paulus, Lester, & Dempster, 2014; Qianzhi & Cohen, 2020). However, less research exists on the methodological implications of recruiting and conducting virtual focus groups and interviews with low-income populations and professionals providing health and nutrition education to these populations. This presentation will explore the methodological implications and experience of recruiting for and conducting virtual focus groups and in-depth interviews with vulnerable low-income populations in Georgia. These observations arose from a series of qualitative virtual focus groups and in depth-interviews conducted during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the University of Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Education Program Education (UGA SNAP-Ed) research project involving a formative evaluation and development of a pilot food and nutrition education program delivered by text message to low-income Georgians. To support the development of this text message health intervention, 8 focus groups and 3 in-depth interviews with 26 total participants were conducted. These focus groups and interviews were conducted synchronously online using Zoom, which allowed participants to connect via cell phone, landline, or computer in order to participate. Methodological considerations from this study indicate a need to remain flexible to the needs and abilities of participants and the importance of incorporating a trauma-informed approach to conducting qualitative research, particularly when pivoting to a virtual data collection platform