How viable is interview method in present era of social distancing and virtual world? Can we eliminate it altogether, given the importance of the method in social science research?

Viability in present era

• It's viability is threatened due to lack of personal interaction. It can lead to non responses.
• Usage of posts to send questions or emails can lead to only a small section sending responses (response bias).
• Moreover, it can be made viable

using tools of virtual calls via use of video technology.

Elimination

• It's elimination is not possible due to it being flexible & cheaper in cost than other methods (like participant observation).
• It can be administered to a fairly good number of respondents.
• Interviewing the right representative sample helps to generalise.
• It is less time consuming than participant observation, while gives more in depth data than questionnaires.