Skype interviewing: the new generation of online synchronous interview in qualitative research

Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2014 Apr 15:9:24152. doi: 10.3402/qhw.v9.24152. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The most commonly used method for data collection in qualitative research is interviewing. With technology changes over the last few decades, the online interview has overcome time and financial constraints, geographical dispersion, and physical mobility boundaries, which have adversely affected onsite interviews. Skype as a synchronous online service offers researchers the possibility of conducting individual interviews as well as small focus groups, comparable to onsite types. This commentary presents the characteristics of the Skype interview as an alternative or supplemental choice to investigators who want to change their conventional approach of interviewing.

Keywords: Interview; Skype; qualitative research; researcher.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Data Collection / methods*
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic / methods*
  • Qualitative Research*
  • Researcher-Subject Relations*
  • Social Media*