The Digital Transformation of Qualitative Research

How qualitative research has become a fast, essential component of modern humanitarian efforts

In the fast-moving world of humanitarian aid, understanding the nuanced needs of vulnerable communities is essential for crafting effective interventions. While quantitative data has traditionally dominated the field, digital advancements are revolutionising qualitative research, making it easier, faster, and more accessible than ever.

With technology breaking down barriers, there's no longer a reason to overlook this vital tool for more responsive and targeted understanding and support.

Why Qualitative Research Matters

Qualitative research goes beyond numbers, capturing the lived experiences and perspectives of those affected by crises. It reveals hidden issues and context-specific details that can transform program design.

For example, while quantitative research may show high rates of gender-based violence in a region, qualitative insights will uncover the critical underlying factors, such as social norms, stigma, or power dynamics within households that perpetuate abuse. This deeper understanding allows for more tailored interventions, such as community education programs or survivor support services that directly address these root causes, leading to more sustainable and meaningful impact.

Without knowing the why - that only qualitative research can provide, it’s impossible to design the right solution.

Critically, this type of research allows the participants to shape the narrative of the discussion, which often unearths brand new problems and solutions that can't be discovered from the multiple-choice box ticking approaches used in quantitative research.

The Digital Shift: Making qualitative research accessible

For years, integrating qualitative research in humanitarian efforts has been hampered by time, cost and resource constraints. However, recent digital advancements have created new opportunities to make qualitative research more streamlined and efficient - reducing manual data processing efforts.

Today, qualitative research is no longer a cumbersome add-on but a vital, integrated component of humanitarian strategy that can hold pace with quantitative research timelines.

Introducing Fatima: A game-changer for digital qualitative research

Recognising the need - and opportunity for a digital qualitative solution tailored to humanitarian needs, Here I Am, in collaboration with CARE International, developed Fatima—an innovative platform for fast, ethical qualitative research. Fatima has been designed from the ground up to leverage digital technology, making qualitative research simpler and safer.

Fatima includes features like digital informed consent, pre-interview safety assessments, and automatic transcription and translation and analysis of voice data. It’s accessible even to those without internet access or smartphones, ensuring that marginalised voices are heard. Since its launch, Fatima has been adopted by 20 organisations across 16 countries, including conflict zones like Sudan and Ukraine. Its impact has been widely recognized, earning the title of Best Online Qual Platform at the 2022 Market Research Awards.

The digital transformation of qualitative research is reshaping how humanitarian aid is designed and delivered. Ethical qualitative research is no longer an expensive, time consuming challenge but an essential strategy for understanding and responding to the needs of vulnerable communities. Now is the time to leverage these advancements and make qualitative research a standard practice in humanitarian efforts.

If you would like to hear more about Fatima, visit HelloFatima, or email us Fatima@hereiamstudio.com. We would love to hear from you!