Spinning Tales from the World Wide Web: Qualitative Research in an Electronic Environment

Abstract

How do you learn about the texture of life from children with medical problems, and how do you translate their narratives into a web site for all to read? This article attempts to answer those questions. It describes the process of using qualitative research strategies to gather data for a Web-based project, "Band-Aides and Blackboards: When Chronic Illness, or Some Other Medical Problem Goes to School." The article discusses the rationale for using the Internet as a forum for collecting data and explores the advantages and disadvantages of its use. In addition to the Internet, focus groups and individual interviews were identified as rich sources of stories from children with serious health problems, and the article examines their utility. In addition, it details the process of publicizing an invitation, attracting children, and acquiring parental permission for their inclusion. The text takes a look at the barriers that were encountered along the route and addresses each of them, describing as it does the strategies employed to overcome them. A number of web addresses from the site are included as reference so that readers can go "on-line"for a more in-depth understanding of the process.