Back to the Field: Collecting Data in Italy During COVID-19

Italy was one of the earliest European countries to be hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The regions of Northern Italy, especially Lombardy, faced severe impacts. In September 2021, the team behind the project "AIS, the digital turn" (AISdt) decided to resume in-person data collection. Their mission? To gather information from 50 locations in Italy across Lombardy and Piedmont. These locations were specifically chosen due to the unique insights they offer. The team needed informants over 60 years old, so they took extra precautions before heading back to the field. This included careful consideration of safety conditions and measures. The paper aims to serve as a guide for conducting field investigations during a pandemic. It provides insights based on the AISdt project’s experience, detailing the preparation required, the safety protocols implemented, and the responses received from the informants. In the midst of a global health crisis, restarting face-to-face data collection is no easy task. The team had to adapt to the new reality, ensuring the well-being of everyone involved. The elderly informants, crucial to the study, required special attention. The team worked diligently to create a safe environment for all. The responses from the informants were valuable, offering key data for the project. For the AISdt team, resuming in-person data collection wasn't just about collecting data; it was about ensuring safety and showing respect for the participants. They demonstrated that with the right precautions, valuable research can continue even in challenging times. Their story serves as a reminder of the importance of flexibility and careful planning in scientific research.