DataSheet1_Soliciting Diaries for “Real-Time” Insights Into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Methodological Reflections on Using Digital Technologies to Engage the Public.zip

ObjectivesTo discuss the opportunities and challenges of the qualitative solicited diary approach using digital technologies as an innovative way to access insights into people’s lives and their unique stories in times of COVID-19-related social distancing in Switzerland.
MethodsThis case study provides reflective arguments from a social science perspective for the selection of different (digital) diary designs to optimize data collection in the SNSF-funded project “PubliCo - an experimental online platform for COVID-19-related public perception.”
ResultsThe findings highlight some opportunities of using (digital) diaries, such as empowering participants, gathering real-time data, and ethical and methodological challenges when it comes to gaining access to alternative narratives.
ConclusionTo gain in-depth insights during a crisis and to reach the lesser-heard voices that are central to democratic debates, it is necessary to adapt data gathering methods and build trust with diverse communities. While digital technologies open up new possibilities for public engagement, there is a need to think critically how data gathering is approached, how trustworthy the results are, and whose voices are captured, amplified, or left out.

研究目标：探讨在瑞士新冠疫情相关社交隔离背景下，以数字技术为支撑的质性邀约式日记法作为洞悉民众生活与独特人生故事的创新路径，其所面临的机遇与挑战。
研究方法：本案例研究从社会科学视角出发，为瑞士国家科学基金会（Swiss National Science Foundation, SNSF）资助项目“PubliCo——新冠疫情相关公众认知实验性在线平台”中优化数据收集的工作，提供不同（数字）日记设计方案的反思性论证。
研究结果：本研究揭示了使用（数字）日记的若干优势，例如赋予研究参与者话语权、获取实时数据，同时也指出了在挖掘多元叙事时所面临的伦理与方法学挑战。
研究结论：在危机时期获取深度洞察、触及民主辩论核心的鲜被倾听的声音，亟需优化数据收集方法并与多元社群建立信任联结。尽管数字技术为公众参与开辟了全新路径，但仍需批判性审视数据收集的实施方式、研究结果的可信度，以及哪些声音被捕捉、放大或被忽视。