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A Practical Guide to the E-Mail Interview
Nigel Hunt
University of Nottingham
Sue McHale
Sheffield Hallam University
The e-mail interview is a novel technique that has a number of advantages over traditional interviewing, but there are also some disadvantages. In this methodological article, the authors review the issues surrounding the use of the e-mail interview, providing a concrete example of its use, that of interviewing people with alopecia areata regarding psychological issues associated with the disorder. The authors show in the article that the e-mail interview is an effective interview technique but that users must take account of a number of sensitive issues, and there are a number of serious disadvantages that limit its use to specific areas. The e-mail interview cannot be used simply as a cheap alternative to face-to-face interviews in all circumstances.
Key Words: e-mail method • health psychology • e-mail interview • methodology • alopecia
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Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 17, No. 10,
1415-1421 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1049732307308761
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