TY - JOUR AU - Nicklich, Manuel AU - Röbenack, Silke AU - Sauer, Stefan AU - Schreyer, Jasmin AU - Tihlarik, Amelie PY - 2023/01/31 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Qualitative Social Research at a Distance: Potentials and Challenges of Virtual Interviews JF - Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research JA - FQS VL - 24 IS - 1 SE - FQS Debate: Quality of Qualitative Research DO - 10.17169/fqs-24.1.4010 UR - https://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/4010 SP - AB - <p>Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the practice of qualitative interviewing has recently undergone a strong trend toward virtualization. The <em>gold standard</em> of conducting face-to-face interviews had to be translated into a digital format, enabling researchers to conduct interviews at a distance. In this article, we reflect on the opportunities and limitations of virtual interviews and consider epistemological consequences in the wake of their increased use and acceptance. Methodological questions arise regarding empirical topics, sampling, social interview situations, as well as the technical setting. We further reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of interviews at a distance and suggest that this novel form of interviewing may soon become the <em>new normal</em>.</p> ER -