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Exploring the Promise and Limitations of Autonomous Online Timelines to Understand Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime Garcia-Iglesias

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Nigel Lloyd

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Imogen Freethy

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Nigel Smeeton

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Amander Wellings

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Julia Jones

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Wendy Wills

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

  • Katherine Brown

    (University of Hertfordshire, UK)

Abstract

This article discusses the use of autonomous, asynchronous, timelines to analyse personal and organizational experiences of COVID-19 using an online platform, LucidSpark. We evaluate the benefits and limitations of this approach and highlight findings in three areas: aesthetics, the balance of personal and organizational information, and the identification of key events. We argue that timelines generate fascinating data about participants’ personal and professional experiences of COVID-19. Then, we discuss the limitations of the data, and suggest how the method may be refined and used in combination with other approaches. By themselves, timelines provide limited data about how events relate to each other. Instead, timelines serve as useful pre-interview activities that should be combined with additional methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Garcia-Iglesias & Nigel Lloyd & Imogen Freethy & Nigel Smeeton & Amander Wellings & Julia Jones & Wendy Wills & Katherine Brown, 2023. "Exploring the Promise and Limitations of Autonomous Online Timelines to Understand Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 28(3), pages 870-883, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:28:y:2023:i:3:p:870-883
    DOI: 10.1177/13607804221084341
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