Collecting qualitative data through mobile applications: A multiple case study report

Qualitative research is important within the field of social work because it is adept at gathering rich descriptions of social problems. Unfortunately, traditional qualitative data collection methods may limit social work researchers, as face-to-face interviews are time consuming, and may constrain study participation to those who have the ability to engage in an in-depth interview. Changes in the digital landscape, however, have allowed qualitative researchers to expand on traditional data collection methods. The purpose of this multiple-case study report is to explore the feasibility of using a mobile application (app) and text messaging to collect qualitative data. The results of this case study of 15 transportation-disadvantaged adults suggest that mobile apps, with embedded text messaging features, are a promising way to collect qualitative data from research participants, including those research participants who are not particularly familiar with smart technologies. This finding is important for social work researchers since the profession mandates that researchers closely tend to the needs of vulnerable populations. If social work researchers find it difficult to amplify the perspectives of vulnerable populations due to the limitations of traditional qualitative data collection methods, it follows that they ought to explore promising methods that are equipped to do so.