The current covid-19 crisis has impacted profoundly on ‘normal’ life. In our recent blog post we highlighted the impact this is having on some punk scenes around the world, considering some of their responses to this. As we might imagine, this is also impacting research concerning punk (scenes). Physical distancing measures and rules banning mass gatherings, for example, means that certain methods (e.g. face-to-face interviews, participant-observation) are no longer possible. In some cases this might mean research being put ‘on pause’ but this is not always possible. Some researchers, for example, must instead consider how to adapt and proceed because funding or time restraints mean breaks in research are near impossible.
Speaking to a PhD candidate whose research looks at violence and aggression across several geographical spaces highlights some of the complexities involved:
“Methods were ethnography. Recruitment at live music venues and semi-structured, qualitative interviews face to face. Due to travel restrictions and closures of all music venues, my research was denied ethics approval until they were opened (this was stated in March/April, where there was no foreseeable future). I had to change the methods so all data collection was online only. It’s made recruitment really hard because not all punks use Facebook groups and the ones I talk to are usually university educated or are well off (you have to have some kind of financial stability to have hour long interviews over the computer).
I have felt defeated, the ethics board felt like talking to a brick wall at first and weren’t very helpful when I changed my methods. I have had my research stalled for 3 months during COVID19 but have had no extra university assistance in terms of extension of candidature or extension of scholarship.
Data collection has become more difficult to navigate and people are unwilling to talk or reach out during times of distress.”
Covid-19, then, is having a profound impact on those planning to or currently carrying out qualitative research in offline contexts. More broadly, amongst social scientists for example, there are also discussions concerning how to research ethically in the context of the crisis, recognising that vulnerable or marginalised groups have been made even more so in the current context - how do we proceed with research with such groups in an ethical way? Is it ethical at all?
We would welcome any further insights any of you may have in relation to this -feel free to leave comments below or send us an e-mail via our ‘contact’ page.
Plenty of blogs and online spaces are discussing how to proceed with research during the covid-19 crisis - if you’re interested in reading more some examples are here and here.