Intentional Changes, Unintended Advantages: Adjusting Research Approaches During the Pandemic

OUTTAKE

When I defended my dissertation proposal in February 2020, I had no idea what the next year would bring. I, like most, was blissfully unaware of the dramatic changes ahead. I was focused on beginning observations of four world history educators, which I expected to comprise the bulk of the data collection for the study. Along with pre- and post-observation interviews, I relied on the observation notes and artifacts to write about how these teachers positioned the United States as part of their world history classes. As I began these observations in mid-March, the COVID-19 outbreak first paused and then halted the remainder of the school year. It sounds obvious now, but at the time, the disruption was challenging to my plans and, admittedly, my confidence in completing a study. Looking back at the process, I see differently the affordances resulting from the changes and what I will carry into my research projects hereafter.