A path forward for qualitative research on sustainability in the COVID-19 pandemic

Francisca N Santana; Courtney Hammond Wagner; Nina Berlin Rubin; Laura S P Bloomfield; Erica R Bower; Stephanie L Fischer; Bianca S Santos; Gemma E Smith; Caroline T Muraida; Gabrielle Wong-Parodi

doi:10.1007/s11625-020-00894-8

A path forward for qualitative research on sustainability in the COVID-19 pandemic

Sustain Sci. 2021;16(3):1061-1067. doi: 10.1007/s11625-020-00894-8. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Affiliations

¹ Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Suite 226, Stanford, CA 94305-4210 USA.
² Water in the West, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, CA 94305 USA.
³ Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, CA 94305-4216 USA.
⁴ Earth Systems Science, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Rm. 140, Stanford, CA 94305-4216 USA.

Abstract

The unique strengths of qualitative research, through in-depth inquiry and identification of unexpected themes and linkages, is essential to our growing understanding of COVID-19's impacts on the social world and its intersection with sustainability science. However, many challenges-physical, psychological, and ethical in nature-face qualitative researchers during the pandemic, as social distancing and travel restrictions prevent in-person field work. In this paper, we outline the essential contributions of qualitative study to sustainability science, discuss current challenges, and in turn, provide recommendations for researchers.

Keywords: COVID-19; Qualitative methods; Research ethics; Researcher well-being; Sustainability science; Virtual methods.