How did developmental psychologists who previously used observational methods continue their research activities during the coronavirus pandemic?

Abstract

To examine which process of observational studies in psychology was adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, we first confirmed the characteristics of the “observation method,” based on a review of the Japanese literature to date. In addition, we conducted interviews with Japanese observational researchers who had worked during the coronavirus pandemic to ascertain how they continued their research activities at a time when observing study participants was difficult. Furthermore, by introducing specific examples of observational research conducted during the pandemic, the possibility of the development of observational research in psychology in the postpandemic era is discussed.