Description

Using online qualitative research methods in medical education

SAMANTHA CROMPVOETS

Rural Clinical School, Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

ABSTRACT

Context: This article describes a project which utilized computer-mediated communication as a means of cyber-ethnography and sets out a brief overview of emerging methodological and ethical issues in online methodologies in qualitative health research. The study was an attempt to locate the personal and professional discourses of overseas trained doctors, or International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who are undertaking Australian General Practice training. Objectives: This project piloted a method of online research for a needs analysis study of IMGs. Methods: The literature regarding the ethical and methodological issues when using the internet-mediated research was reviewed and summarized with regards to medical education research. Conclusions: With well thought-out project planning, taking into consideration the ethical and methodological issues raised, online methods in medical education research should be further piloted. It is an exciting and potentially rewarding way of doing research that could engage participants who may otherwise been inaccessible.

Keywords: online research, general practice training, international medical graduates, discourse, ethics, qualitative methods, needs analysis