Dialling in: Reflections on Telephone Interviews in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Telephone interviews have always been the next best option to face-to-face interviews which has affected researchers’ perceptions of its use in qualitative research. This article considers the challenges against the use of telephone interviews as a primary source of data collection posed by the ‘gold standard’ - face-to-face interviews. With the rapid development of technology in recent years and an increased interest in virtual research, the viability of telephone interviews as a mode of data collection may be forgotten. Thereon, the methodological strengths of telephone interviews will be explored by comparing it to face-to-face interviews and considering its use in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. I will be drawing from my legal research study on the role of the education system in informing children aged 7-14 of their criminal responsibility in schools, to provide reflections, examples and make my argument.