scholarly journals Using Skype as a Qualitative Interview Medium within the Context of Saudi Arabia

Author(s):  
Maryam AlKhateeb

This research note reports the results of using Skype as a medium to conduct semi-structured interviews in qualitative studies within the context of Saudi Arabia. Skype audio-only interviews were used to explore the concept of privacy from the perspective of female users in the context of the spatial design of contemporary Saudi houses. The use of Skype audio-only, although accidental, turned out to be fortuitous. The researcher’s study design called for all face-to-face interviews, but due to the location of the researcher and participants and study time frame, some of the interviews were conducted face-to-face and the others were audio only Skype calls. The researcher went through the experience of being on both sides of the audio-only-Skype-call, as the interviewer and as the participant. Then there was an opportunity for the researcher to experience being an interview participant in a research that encountered some similarities to the one she had conducted: medium and subject sensitivity. After going through different approaches in conducting interviews, the paper acknowledges the benefits provided when using Skype-audio-only-calls in qualitative research.

BJGP Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. BJGPO.2021.0036
Author(s):  
Andrew Turner ◽  
Anne Scott ◽  
Jeremy Horwood ◽  
Chris Salisbury ◽  
Rachel Denholm ◽  
...  

BackgroundIn March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic required a rapid reconfiguration of UK general practice to minimise face-to-face contact with patients to reduce infection risk. However, some face-to-face contact remained necessary and practices needed to ensure such contact could continue safely.AimTo examine how practices determined when face-to-face contact was necessary and how face-to-face consultations were reconfigured to reduce COVID-19 infection risk.Design & settingQualitative interview study in general practices in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.MethodLongitudinal semi-structured interviews with clinical and managerial practice staff at four timepoints between May and July 2020.ResultsPractices worked flexibly within general national guidance to determine when face-to-face contact with patients was necessary, influenced by knowledge of the patient, experience, and practice resilience. For example, practices prioritised patients according to clinical need using face-to-face contact to resolve clinician uncertainty or provide adequate reassurance to patients. To make face-to-face contact as safe as possible and keep patients separated, practices introduced a heterogeneous range of measures that exploited features of their indoor and outdoor spaces and altered their appointment processes. As national restrictions eased in June and July, the number and proportion of patients seen face-to-face generally increased. However, the reconfiguration of buildings and processes reduced the available capacity and put increased pressure on practices.ConclusionPractices responded rapidly and creatively to the initial lockdown restrictions. The variety of ways practices organised face-to-face contact to minimise infection highlights the need for flexibility in guidance.


Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cem Sen ◽  
Korhan Arun ◽  
Olcay Okun

PurposeThis paper articulates a multi-contextual and dynamic system for memory research in relation to multi-cultural organizations (MCOs) by a qualitative research method.Design/methodology/approachFace-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of 30 national officers in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to illuminate how the construction of organizational memory (OM) can then be compared and contrasted across different cultures.FindingsThe findings show that OM still mostly resides in individuals with the social transfer. However, even if, cultural aspects define what should be stored, time and purpose, the static memory of individuals becomes dynamic OM that is represented and interpreted in an organization's practices, policies and learning.Originality/valueThe primary contribution is to attempt to dissolve the seeming assumption of dialectical metaphoric perspectives of OM between different but related sub-communities of practice and outcomes. Consequently, socially constructed and individual memory models are necessary to integrate different metaphors according to the multi-context theory, which extends the understanding of the diversity between the cultural backgrounds of individuals and groups.


2008 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. Fruhauf ◽  
Nancy A. Orel

This qualitative research examined the perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of grandchildren caregivers who ranged in age from 7 to 29 years. Thirty-four caregiving grandchildren participated in face to-face semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 35 to 90 minutes. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the data revealed that caregiving grandchildren: a) experienced a wide range of emotions as providers of care to their grandparents; and b) developed specific coping strategies to deal with the stress of providing care. The intensity, type, and range of emotions experienced and the coping strategies used were a reflection of the developmental issues of the grandchildren. Although grandchildren caregivers experienced similar responsibilities, their developmental level and the context in which care was provided played a role on how they were best able to cope with caregiving responsibilities. Practitioners must consider grandchildren caregivers when developing programs and services for family caregivers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (678) ◽  
pp. e8-e14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Stepney ◽  
Paul Aveyard ◽  
Rachna Begh

BackgroundReports from royal colleges and organisations such as Public Health England suggest that GPs and nurses should advise patients to switch to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) if they do not want to stop smoking using licensed medication. However, there are no data on what practitioners think, feel, or do about e-cigarettes.AimTo explore practitioners’ perceptions and attitudes towards e-cigarettes, and their experiences of discussing e-cigarettes with patients.Design and settingA qualitative interview study was carried out with semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses and GPs across England in 2017.MethodParticipants were interviewed once either via telephone or face to face. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsInterviews were conducted with 23 practitioners (eight nurses and 15 GPs). There were three key themes: ambivalence and uncertainty; pragmatism; and responsibility. Many practitioners had uncertainties about the safety and long-term risks of e-cigarettes. Some had ambivalence about their own knowledge and ability to advise on their use, as well as uncertainty about whether to and what to advise patients. Despite this, many sought to provide honesty in consultations by acknowledging these uncertainties about e-cigarettes with patients and taking a pragmatic approach, believing that e-cigarettes were a ‘step in the right direction’. Practitioners wanted advice from healthcare regulators such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to reassure them about the safety of e-cigarettes, practical tools to support the consultation, and to control their use by providing behavioural support programmes for reduction or cessation.ConclusionCurrent dissemination strategies for guidelines are not effective in reaching practitioners, who are offering more cautious advice about e-cigarettes than guidelines suggest is reasonable.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (669) ◽  
pp. e293-e300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Atherton ◽  
Heather Brant ◽  
Sue Ziebland ◽  
Annemieke Bikker ◽  
John Campbell ◽  
...  

BackgroundNHS policy encourages general practices to introduce alternatives to the face-to-face consultation, such as telephone, email, e-consultation systems, or internet video. Most have been slow to adopt these, citing concerns about workload. This project builds on previous research by focusing on the experiences of patients and practitioners who have used one or more of these alternatives.AimTo understand how, under what conditions, for which patients, and in what ways, alternatives to face-to-face consultations present benefits and challenges to patients and practitioners in general practice.Design and settingFocused ethnographic case studies took place in eight UK general practices between June 2015 and March 2016.MethodNon-participant observation, informal conversations with staff, and semi-structured interviews with staff and patients were conducted. Practice documents and protocols were reviewed. Data were analysed through charting and the ‘one sheet of paper’ mind-map method to identify the line of argument in each thematic report.ResultsCase study practices had different rationales for offering alternatives to the face-to-face consultation. Beliefs varied about which patients and health issues were suitable. Co-workers were often unaware of each other’s practice; for example, practice policies for use of e-consultations systems with patients were not known about or followed. Patients reported benefits including convenience and access. Staff and some patients regarded the face-to-face consultation as the ideal.ConclusionExperience of implementing alternatives to the face-to-face consultation suggests that changes in patient access and staff workload may be both modest and gradual. Practices planning to implement them should consider carefully their reasons for doing so and involve the whole practice team.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Bilal Farooq ◽  
Charl de Villiers

Purpose The aims of this study are to review the literature examining the arguments for and against the telephonic qualitative research interviews, to develop criteria for assessing when the use of the telephone is suitable in qualitative research and if suitable to offer detailed strategies for the effective use of this data collection instrument. Design/methodology/approach The study is a thematic analysis of the literature, informed by the researchers’ experiences using the telephone, computer-based audio and face-to-face interviews for an accounting research project involving 50 semi-structured interviews with managers. Findings The study identifies five criteria to determine the suitability of using the telephone in qualitative research interviews. In addition, the study offers a set of detailed strategies on what to do before, during and after a telephonic qualitative research interview. Research limitations/implications The study can assist qualitative researchers in deciding when to use the telephone and how to use it effectively. Originality/value The study builds on the limited prior research and provides a more complete list of strategies on the effective use of the telephone in qualitative social sciences research. These strategies are a synthesis of existing studies and observations drawn from the author's study, which examines the work of organisational managers. In comparison, prior studies have been based on research projects that explored sensitive personal issues and emotive experiences not always related to managerial work.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 489
Author(s):  
Zeeshan Ahmad Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ahmad ◽  
Sehrish Butt

For Pakistani banks to remain competitive in this 21st century, they have to adopt and excel in practices that have brought significant competitive advantages to firms worldwide. Among these practices, lean management has played a significant role. There is a need to develop a systematic approach to access up to what extent firms are adopting lean practices. The objective of this research is to measure the level of adoptions of lean practices in banking sector in Pakistan. Face to face structured interviews were conducted and our findings suggest that banks are not implementing lean practices in true spirit. To implement lean practices holistically, bank employees should understand the philosophy of lean.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavia Cangia' ◽  
Déborah Levitan ◽  
Tania Zittoun

Two dominant images of migrant professionals, also known as “expats”, have long been common, in the social sciences: on the one hand, they were described as super-mobile individuals, who easily move between places with no time frame in mind, with the openness to engage with diversity; on the other hand, more recent studies challenged the idea of “expat” cosmopolitanism, and investigated the boundaries constituted by these people in the course of their everyday life. The present paper brings to the fore the complexity of these individuals’ and their families’ experiences of international mobility from a combined socio-cultural psychological and sociological perspective. We draw on qualitative research conducted in Switzerland in order to reflect on the role of family in the way these people make sense of diversity across time and space, make and un-make symbolic boundaries between themselves and others, and understand their own and their familiars' transformation. 


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Mohammed ALobaid ◽  
Cameron Gosling ◽  
Lisa McKenna ◽  
Brett Williams

PurposeSaudi female paramedics face many challenges in the current Saudi emergency medical service (EMS). This study aimed to investigate perceptions of EMS experts, leaders, managers and academics about the challenges faced by Saudi female paramedics in the Saudi Arabian EMS workforce.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive qualitative research approach was used employing semi-structured face-to-face interviews with seven EMS leaders, managers and academics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were analysed using thematic analysis informed by the work of Braun and Clark.FindingsThree themes emerged from the interviews that described EMS experts' perceptions, namely, cultural and family challenges, the value of Saudi female paramedics in the workforce and workforce issues.Originality/valueOverall, the interviews revealed that Saudi females faced several challenges that could affect their job duties and capacity to work in the EMS. Currently, Saudi females face difficulties with family, social and religious responsibilities, such as taking care of children and homes. Workforce issues were also considered problems that affect Saudi female paramedics in the workplace, such as physical fitness and psychological burnout. The EMS leaders, managers and academics emphasised that due to the new Saudi 2030 vision, it is expected and recognised that more females need to be employed in the EMS workforce.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-184
Author(s):  
Ameen Bin Mohanna ◽  
Ali Alqahtany

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the preferred characteristics of buyers of single-family homes in Saudi Arabia with an emphasis on the city of Dammam. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using face-to-face structured interviews conducted from November 2016 to May 2017 with 177 owners of single-family homes that were purchased between 2010 and the first quarter of 2017. Findings The findings indicate that homes can be divided into three types: villas, detached duplexes and semi-detached duplexes. Also, more than three-quarters of the respondents purchased their homes through mortgages from either lenders or the government. It seems we find that the advantages of the detached duplex, particularly its privacy level, over other types of single-family homes induce homebuyers to choose this home type. Originality/value In this study, the authors analyze housing preferences among various segments of the Saudi society, in the city of Dammam, to understand the housing supply in Saudi Arabia. Only a few studies have investigated the preferences of homebuyers in Saudi Arabia. Below the authors provide a literature review, discuss data and methods and results, as well as provide concluding remarks.


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