A statistical survey on death and digital practices. Reflexivity on methodological biases

Abstract

Constructing a questionnaire, both in terms of methodology and ethics, supposes an exercise in reflexivity, especially when the context relates to a taboo subject such as death. Drawing on a statistical survey aimed mainly at understanding the role of digital technologies in mourning practices, this paper explores a raft of methodological and ethical questions raised by the different steps spanning the design, communication and administration of the survey. We pinpoint the limits of statistical data and the need to supplement these with a qualitative approach as well as “quali-quantitative” data to decipher socio-digital uses in mourning, which relates to the emotive dimension.