Guidance for taking part in Skype interviews

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An increasing number of research studies now offer participants the option to take part in an interview by Skype. Video interviews mean people living in different places can take part more easily, and we can be more flexible in terms of when and where interviews can take place.

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Subjects like infertility and counselling can feel very personal. Some people prefer face-to-face interviews to talk about these kinds of sensitive subjects. Other people feel more comfortable doing a video interview from their own home or another private, quiet space. It is up to you to choose how you would like to take part. 

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The researcher will talk you through this guidance if you choose to participate via Skype.

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Technology and connection

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In advance of the interview:

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• Check you have the most recent Skype software installed on your computer or device

• Make sure your internet connection is working properly

• Try a test call, to check out the sound quality

• Check your device is charged or plugged in

 

If the Skype call quality is bad or the connection drops during the interview, the researcher will contact you on an agreed phone number and you can decide together how to proceed. 

 

Comfortable and confidential

 

Before you start:

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• Find a place to sit that is comfortable, quiet and private, where you hopefully won’t be distracted or interrupted. 

• Think about whether anyone else is close by and whether you would be comfortable with them overhearing your conversation.

• Once you have chosen your location and got your screen set up, take a minute to check nothing is visible in the video frame that you do not want the researcher to see. 

 

People often take part in research interviews from their own home, and this usually works well as they feel at ease and secure in their environment. 

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During the interview, the researcher will be talking to you from a private space, where the interview cannot be overheard by anyone else, so that your information is kept confidential. The researcher will record the video interview, using an additional piece of software and will tell you when this recording begins and ends during the interview.

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If you have any questions at all you are welcome to contact the researcher:

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Ruth Paterson      r.paterson@edu.salford.ac.uk      07516 980 565