Reflections on conducting research in uncertain times

ABSTRACT

A group of researchers came together during the COVID-19 pandemic to conduct an observational study on trail use behaviour. The purpose of this paper is not to report on the trail data collected, but to reflect on the research process during an unprecedented time. Specifically, the objectives of the paper are to identify challenges and tensions of collecting data during a pandemic, and reflect on the unanticipated rewards that arose while conducting such research. The paper relies on vignettes/reflections from seven researchers who shared stories that exemplified their data collection experiences during the first three months of the project. The researchers’ reflections provide an insider view into the challenges they faced. Using thematic analysis, themes about logistical difficulties, safety concerns, sense of time, and making connections were identified. The challenges and the importance of the researchers’ relationships with one another were evident in the reflections. In sharing their reflections, the hope is that their experiences may inform future fieldwork during difficult periods. This study examined some of the challenges of collecting data during a pandemic and the tensions that occurred, but there are lessons here for other stressful and unique research situations.

KEYWORDS:

• Research
• pandemic
• challenges
• rewards
• ethics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kimberly Shinew

Dr. Shinew’s research focuses on the interrelated effects of race, ethnicity and social class on recreation preferences/behaviors and the impacts of constraints and discrimination on access to services and activities.

Heather Gibson

Dr. Gibson’s research interests include leisure, tourism and sport behavior in mid and later life, women as tourists, sport tourism, and perceived risk in tourism.

Ingrid Schneider

Dr. Schneider’s research interests include conflict, constraints, stress and coping, leisure-time physical activity.

Chirstopher Wynveen

Dr. Wynveen’s research focuses on the thoughts and feelings people ascribe to parks and protected areas.

William Hendricks

Dr. Hendricks’s research interests include park and recreation management, outdoor recreation behavior, wilderness education and natural resources based tourism.

Megha Budruk

Dr. Budruk’s research interests include human - nature relationships, visitor experience and impact management, and community development within the context of parks, protected areas, and cultural monuments.

Eve Farrell

Eve Farrell is an undergraduate student studying biology.