Online interviews – tutorial Clare 4

Synchronous focus groups/interviews Need to add names You are going to be the researchers – go with Jane and she will brief you. Everyone else – you are interviewees – stay with Clare and she will brief you.

Scenario You are interested in exploring the ways in which parents use online parenting websites for advice and information. With cooperation from one of the main parenting websites you have gained access to participants willing to take part in an online synchronous interview about this topic. You are running your first interview/focus group with two participants in a few minutes time.

Synchronous Chat Facility You will be using the chat facility in Adobe Connect. Chat rooms have already been established for you Enter as a guest.

Activity Participate as the researcher or interviewee in the synchronous interview. 20

Feedback on synchronous discussion In your groups discuss what you have just done? –What was it like taking part in this kind of discussion? –How is it different from ordinary conversation/interviewing? –What benefits/disadvantages would the synchronous element give you? –When would this approach be useful for research? 5