Zoom interview
A Zoom interview is a research interview conducted over the Zoom video platform, and the term is often used for video interviews in general. It combines the reach of remote research with the visual cues and rapport of meeting face to face.
How it works
The researcher schedules a call, shares a link, and runs the interview as they would in person, with the option to share screens, show stimuli and record. Research with participants found most considered Zoom useful for building rapport, more so than phone or email, and valued not having to travel.
Video interviews still need scheduling across time zones and calendars, reliable connections and participants comfortable on camera. Camera-off interviews lose visual cues, and technical problems can interrupt the flow. Many studies now let participants choose between video, phone and in-person formats to widen who can take part. Recording also needs explicit consent before the session starts.
A worked example
A software company runs 16 video interviews with IT managers in 6 countries over 2 weeks. Scheduling takes longer than the interviews: 5 sessions are rescheduled and 2 participants never make it, leaving 14 completed interviews and 3 hours of coordination per completed session.
Related
Automate this in Pulse
Booking a Zoom slot, sending the link and pressing record are the chores a Pulse interview drops, since there is no call to schedule and the conversation is recorded as it happens.