1. Skype as a Tool for Research
Is Skype a Valid Tool for Qualitative Research Interviews?
Author: Valeria Lo Iacono D.o.S Dr David Brown
Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University
1. Introduction
5. Areas to Consider
6. Additional Points
Skype allows us to interview research participants worldwide, using voice and video across the internet via a synchronous (real-time) connection, in a time efficient and financially affordable manner.
This paper highlights advantages, limitations and opportunities created by Skype, using my research as an example1.
Resources and Democratisation
Skype can help make research more democratic, by saving resources in terms of:
Money – communicating via Skype is free.
Time – no need to travel
Convenience - the participant can be interviewed in the comfort of their own home; you do not need to find a venue.
Rapport
Limit: There is a screen between researcher and participant. You do not share the same space.
2. Background
This research revolves around the topic of a dance genre (Egyptian raqs sharqi) explored as a form of cultural heritage, and is inspired by the UNESCO 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage2
Older Participants
Some elderly people may not be interested in using Skype, but others may embrace it with confidence (our oldest participant was 72).
Access to IT Technologies and Internet
Although the internet is now available to over 40% of the world population5, some people may still not have access.
Opportunity: Shy participants can feel more at ease being interviewed via Skype. One of the participants said, about being interviewed via Skype: “There’s something that almost wants to make you want to open up.” (Roger E., interview transcript)
Intangible heritage includes skills, traditions, performing arts. This type of heritage can be practised internationally. For example, the Mediterranean diet, Brazilian Capoeira and Spanish Flamenco are all in the UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage3. These activities originated in specific locations, but are now practised all over the world.
Non-verbal Cues
7. Conclusions
When advantageous to the study, Skype can be embraced with confidence and it is a great complimentary data collection tool.
“We have a screen between us. So, I think in person is always better, but [....] you wouldn’t be able to interview me right now if it wasn’t for Skype, right? So I think it’s great! Why not?” (Hilary S., interview transcript)
Limit: You can only see the head and shoulders of the participant.
Opportunities:
More focus on facial expressions and hand gestures.
You can record footage of video and sound of both participant and interviewer at the same time, without additional cameras with software such as EVAER® or Call Recorder.
You can gather information from the location in which the participant is based (artefacts and visual cues from the environment).
You can exchange multimedia files and web links in real time.
Egyptian raqs sharqi originated in Egypt and is now practised worldwide. Hence, in order to analyse its transcultural dimension, it was important to reach participants who were located in various countries. Skype was the perfect tool to reach such participants.
“I don’t see there’s a lot of difference whether it would have been live next to each other or via Skype. Yeah, it might feel a bit artificial, but […] I don’t see it as a problem at all.” (Rosie M., interview transcript)
3. Objectives
Ethics
The objectives of qualitative interviews were to understand:
How raqs sharqi is transmitted and how it changes across time, locations and cultures.
How practitioners from different cultures experience this dance and how it affects their identities.
References
Lo Iacono, Valeria, Paul A. Symonds, and David H. K. Brown. (in press). “Skype as a Tool for Qualitative Research Interviews.” Sociological Research Online.
UNESCO “Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.” MISC/2003/CLT/CH/14.
UNESCO “Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Register of Best Safeguarding Practices.”
Skype “Skype Terms of Use.” Skype.com. December 31.
Internet World Stats “World Internet Users Statistics and 2015 World Population Stats.” Internet World Stats - Usage and Population Statistics. November 15.
4. Method
In addition to the standard ethical considerations for qualitative interviews, you may need to consider:
The issue of the internet ‘Big Brother’: “Skype reserves the right to review content submitted on or through the Software, Products and Skype Websites for the purpose of enforcing these Terms.” (Skype 2014: par. 5.7) 4
Identity verification. If you have never met the person beforehand, you can cross check their identity using their social media profiles and web presence.
Qualitative interviews were used to delve into people’s motivations. Skype has been chosen over other VoIP (Voice over the Internet Protocol) technologies, such as FaceTime, because:
Researcher and participants were familiar with Skype.
I was able to use EVAER®, a software that works with Skype to allow the recording of video and sound of the participant and the interviewer at the same time, without the need for additional cameras.
Contact
Valeria Lo Iacono
URL:
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