The impact of sanitary restrictions on the implementation of field research in a religiously diverse community

Abstract

This article is one of many voices in the discussion about methodological, practical, and ethical problems related to the adaptation of field research projects to the dynamically changing and nonstandard conditions of their implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author, who is one of the managers of a scientific project focused on identifying denominational relations in a selected local environment, shares his own thoughts and observations regarding the modifications of research tools and their adaptation to the new epidemic circumstances. Redefining the research plans was one of the possible methodological strategies, implying the continuation of the project during nuisance sanitary restrictions. It was not an easy task because there was a real danger of experiencing failure, resulting from the breakdown of actions taken and the complete or temporary renouncement from the initial intentions of the project. Finally, the team which was supported by undergoing professional practice students was created. As a result, the exploration of the local environment was carried out in compliance with the applicable precautionary principles. In the following paragraphs problems related to the implementation of field research using various kinds of interviews (IDI, FGI and PAPI) and participant observation are presented and discussed. The summary of this article includes reflections on the implementation of non-standard empirical solutions and the change in the perception of scientific projects and their applied nature, as well as the ethical education of sociology learners.