What is afforded by technology when doing interviews with children online? Findings from a critical ethnography

 

Pengfei Zhao, Ph.D.

University of Florida

 

Peiwei Li, Ph.D., HP, LSP

Lesley University

 

Abstract: In this paper, we engage with the concept of “affordance” in the adoption of digital tools to perform qualitative research. Using our multi-sited critical ethnography with transnational Chinese children as an example, we raise the question of what is afforded when we use online digital tools such as Zoom to interview young children (5-10 years old). We laid out three dimensions along which the concept of affordance can be conceptualized: the relational, the situational and embodied, and the social-cultural dimensions. The discussion in this paper offers the potential to map out one possible approach for qualitative researchers to practicing reflexivity in technology-medicated qualitative research. By doing that, we argue that researchers can further empower children and democratize research processes in a post-Pandemic world.