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
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LOGO HERE
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.
2. Background
3. Objectives
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.
4. Method
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.
5. Areas to Consider
Rapport
Limit: There is a screen between researcher and
participant. You do not share the same space.
Non-verbal Cues
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.
Ethics
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.
6. Additional Points
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.
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)
References
1. Lo Iacono, Valeria, Paul A. Symonds, and David H. K. Brown. (in press). “Skype as a Tool for
Qualitative Research Interviews.” Sociological Research Online.
2. UNESCO. 2003. “Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
MISC/2003/CLT/CH/14. http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/convention.
3. UNESCO. 2014. “Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Register of Best Safeguarding Practices.”
http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00559.
4. Skype. 2014. “Skype Terms of Use.” Skype.com. December 31. http://www.skype.com/en/legal/tou-
connect/.
5. Internet World Stats. 2015. “World Internet Users Statistics and 2015 World Population Stats.”
Internet World Stats - Usage and Population Statistics. November 15.
http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm.
Contact
Valeria Lo Iacono
Email: vloiacono@cardiffmet.ac.uk
URL: www.worlddanceheritage.org
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
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.
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.
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)
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.
“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)