The Transformative Potential of Video Telephony in QLR Dr Susie Weller wellers@lsbu.ac.uk.

The Transformative Potential of Video Telephony in QLR

Dr Susie Wellerwellers@lsbu.ac.uk

Introduction

PROJECT AIMo To investigate the implications of introducing

video telephony as a new method of data generation into an established QLR project for two purposes:

possible use of such interviews for providing 'catch up' data about participants' lives between researcher visits, thereby helping to ensure their long-term engagement and generating data.

implications for using such interviews as a time-efficient and cost-effective alternative to, or augmentation of, face-to-face co-present interviews.

Rationale

GAPS IN KNOWLEDGEo Possibilities and drawbacks in mediated data collection.o Using video telephony in qualitative longitudinal research.

REMOTE MODES IN LONGITUDINAL RESEARCHo Large scale survey field - implications for retaining and

working with an established sample.o Qualitative field – lacking in discussion surrounding data

collection by phone/online.

KEY CONCERNSo Data quality, research relationship and rapport between

these different interview modes.

The StudyFOCUSo Tracking 50 young people from mid-childhood to adulthood.o Documenting the meanings, experiences and flows of

prescribed and chosen relationships, and how these relate to their sense of self as their individual and family biographies unfold.

FUNDINGo Builds on samples of children from three previous Families &

Social Capital ESRC Research Group projects (2003-2007).o Two further phases - ESRC Timescapes Programme (2007-

2011).o Current - ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (2013-

2015).

MAIN WAVES OF DATA COLLECTIONo W1, 2002-05, aged 6-13.o W2, 2007, aged 10-17.

o W3, 2009, aged 12-19.o W4, 2013, aged 16-23.

Data Generation

AREAS OF INTEREST ACROSS THE WAVES o Significant life events; change/continuity in familial relationships

and friendships; routines and responsibilities; hopes and fears for the future; and everyday life at home, school/college/work etc.

METHODSo Waves 1-3: In-depth interviews in participant’s home – incl.

creative methods such as photography, networking mapping, vignettes.

o Interim activities: Postal and online; public engagement e.g. V&A Museum of Childhood event, BBC Memoryshare, YouTube video.

o Wave 4: Shift to remote methods.

Sample

o The sample is nationally distributed across urban, rural and suburban areas in England, Scotland and Wales.

o NB. there is much diversity within the categories listed.

Approach

TASKo Compare the three waves of data generated over the past decade

using physically co-present interviews with a new wave of data generated using video telephony (and telephony).

PARTICIPATORY APPROACH o All participants.o Feedback at the end of the interview and via online survey –

exploring: (i) interview experience; (ii) disclosure; (iii) imagined future engagement; and (iv) relationship with the researcher?

AN INTERACTIONIST FRAMEWORK o 10 extended interviews.o To assess the implications of remote technology as against

physical co-present communication for the research relationship and rapport.

Video Telephonyo Digital technologies = part of a ‘social scientist’s toolkit’ -

aided by vast in internet usage, reliability of broadband connections/bandwidth.

o Range of technologies enabling two-way real-time audio/video communication. Examples include:o Skype: audio, video, instant messaging, video

conferencing/ group discussions, file transfer.o FaceTime: video chat, group FaceTime/conference calls.o Google Hangouts: instant messaging, voice/video

discussions (up to 10 people), photo and emoji sharing.o Video chat apps: e.g. Fring (audio/video calls, group

video calls).

o Focus on accessible free applications using Video Over Internet Protocol as opposed to specific video phones or teleconferencing.

Video Telephony and QLR

IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH o Potential use relatively under-explored in qualitative interviewing,

particularly with respect to being a substitute for face-to-face interaction.

o Majority of recent papers call for more research into – especially differences between modes (e.g. Sullivan 2012).

IN QLR o Not capitalised upon beyond maintaining contact due to concerns

about: accessibility, confidentiality, rapport.

POSSIBILITIESo Data generation with individuals or groups (incl. geographically

distributed) … via mobile phone, tablet, laptop, TV, games consoles … connected to other social media (e.g. Skype linked to Facebook).

How To …COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT (researcher & participant)o Good broadband internet connection/wifi/mobile data package,

webcam and microphone (earphones optional).o Importance of checking positioning of equipment e.g. webcam,

microphone.

RECORDING EQUIPMENTo Pamela for Skype (www.pamela.biz/en/) approx. £25o IM Capture (http://imcapture.com/) – packages for Skype,

FaceTime and Yahoo Messenger – approx. £30 each.o Effective but need to have good back-up - Marantz recorder

(.WAV ).

Preliminary FindingsOVERVIEWo Unforeseen uptake of mobile interviews - greater flexibility for

transient lives. o Extended interviews - more likely to opt for Skype.o Catch-up interview - preference for phone, often mobile.o Three chose FaceTime but curtailed by technical challenges.o For a further 3 I had to rely on short updates from their

mothers.Mode Catch-up Extended TOTAL %Skype 6 6 12 33FaceTime 0 0 0 0Phone - landline 4 2 6 17Phone - mobile 13 2 15 42Correspondence with parent 3 0 3 8

Participants’ Perspectives

92% of respondents (n=12) were positive about being interviewed online/by phone.

FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCEo Hanna (2012) - flexibility and versatility as advantages -

busy lives may not have been able to accommodate a face-to-face co-present interview.

o Some carried on with day-to-day activities during interview e.g. having lunch, making coffee, organising papers on desk.

o May need to be more flexible with remote methods than with co-present interviews – especially given technical challenges and where participants seem to feel more able to alter time/date, sometimes with little notice.

o Deakin & Wakefield (2013) found a great incidence of absentees but less likely where established relationship.

Rapport

o Generally good (100% survey respondents comfortable with remote mode) - more favourable/easier to gauge with video.

o Good quality, sustained audio and/or video essential . Some able to draw on range of technologies if necessary.o Participants’ confidence with mode /shift in mode significant Chosen mode does not necessarily equate to confidence.o ‘Pressure of presence’ - remote modes as less formal/daunting. Detached but less intrusive.o Observation of/responses to non-verbal gestures, body language,

etc. importanto Some felt phone useful for ‘catch up’ interviews but video

telephony or co-present interviews necessary for more in-depth discussions.

Willingness to Divulgeo On the whole – and as long as comfortable with mode – just as

willing to divulge detail of their lives Mode and duration of interviews May be different for one off interviews??o Many participants had concerns about what might be lacking. E.g. facial expressions, meanings underlying statements etc.o A number also felt that they were less focused/clear and thorough.o Less aware of recording (Deakin & Wakefield 2013).

SENSITIVE AND EMOTIVE ISSUESo Sometimes unforeseen - even in the context of QLR.o Feelings of inadequacy - concerns about the lack of ability to

demonstrate care (empathy, sympathy etc.) in an effective and meaningful manner.

Conversation Flow

o Poor audio/video - much energy is consumed (re)listening to responses . A strong and sustained connection is essential for mitigating

against disruptions and interruptions in the flow of conversation. Just because audio/video clear for researcher not necessarily the

case for participant. Skype to mobile not always clear – sometimes echo on line -

propensity to interrupt one another.o False starts - re-connecting Skype or shifting mode In these instances much time spent discussing ways of re-

connecting/improving connection. Odd instance where had to terminate and re-call.o Audio only - difficult to judge when a participant has finished responding

to a particular question.

Research Relationshipso Strengthened with some; more distant/remote with others.

Shift in mode appears to have deterred some (e.g. shy/self conscious, previously undisclosed disabilities) from participating but enabled others to take part (e.g. busy and/or transient lives, precarious existences).

o Possibility of enhancing access/availability especially as now widely available on a multitude of devices but may be useful with some but not others.

o Long-term relationship with/commitment to project.o Common for participants to express concern for my well-being.o Changes with significant others.

Other forms of research relationships with family and friends.

CONTEXTo Missing context of participant’s lives by not visiting their homes.o Less aware of spatial circumstances. o Video connection can offer insights into new/re-shaped spaces.

Ethical Issues

INFORMED CONSENT o Importance of clarity over potential implications for anonymity. o Challenges of gaining written consent online.

ANONYMITY AND CONFIDENTIALITYo Confidentiality (e.g. Skype recording interviews) (Sullivan 2012).o Anonymity and concerns about being filmed (Deakin & Wakefield

2013).o Failure of one technology/need to shift to an alternative meant

some interviews were conducted in more public spaces.o For some, offered a more private space with less disruption –

researcher not always aware of spatial context and levels of privacy.

Conclusions

o Value of remote methods in QLR:o Geographical distribution of sample.o Through times of significant transition.

o Sample maintenance.o Quality of existing relationship.o Confidence in mode.o Potential for interim data and as a means of sustaining

contact.o Caution – sensitive or emotive issues

Selected References

o Bertrand, C. & Bourdeau, L. (2010) ‘Research interviews by Skype: A new data collection method’, in J. Esteves (Ed.), Proceedings from the 9th European Conference on Research Methods, Spain: IE Business School: 70-79.

o Briggs H (2013) ‘Skype interviews: is it more tricky to be grilled by video?’ Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21334710 (accessed 11 March 2013).

o Deakin, H. and Wakefield, K. (2013) ‘SKYPE interviewing: reflections of two PhD researchers’, Qualitative Research, published online May 2013.

o Hanna, P. (2012) ‘Using internet technologies (such as Skype) as a research medium: a research note’, Qualitative Research, Vol. 12(2): 239-242.

o Sullivan, J. R. (2012) ‘Skype: An Appropriate Method of Data Collection for Qualitative Interviews?’, The Hilltop Review: Vol. 6(1), Article 10.

Further Project Information

o Your Space!’ project : www.lsbu.ac.uk/ahs/research/yourspace/

o National Centre for Research methods ‘Methodological Innovation Projects’: www.ncrm.ac.uk/research/MIP/

o Contact: Susie Weller wellers@lsbu.ac.uk (maternity leave until 1st October 2014).