Online interviews

An online interview is a form of online research method. It takes many of the methodological issues raised in traditional interviews and transfers these online. It principally focuses on the conduct of one-to-one exchanges as one-to-many exchanges are usually called online focus groups. There are different forms of online interviews: synchronous online interviews (for example via chat technology) and asynchronous online interviews (for example via email). In addition, online interviews can be distinguished according to the number of interviewees that participate, as online interviews can be conducted in a group setting or one a one-to-one basis.

Whilst there is a vast body of literature concerned with qualitative interviewing [Becker and Bryman 2004; Burgess 1984; Flick 2002; May 2001] the online approach to interviewing remains a new and innovative research method. However, there are many reasons why online interviews can be an appropriate and valuable methodological tool. For example, the use of online interviews as opposed to onsite interviews provides the researcher with opportunities to:
*Carry out interviews with a very geographically dispersed population;
*Interview individuals or groups who are often difficult to reach, such as the less physically mobile (disabled/in prison/in hospital) or the socially isolated (drug dealers/terminally ill/ etc) or those living in dangerous places (war zones). It can also be used to reach a target audience where the audience is unknown - e.g. users who may use a certain type of technology of used something in a specific way.
*Provide savings in costs to the researcher (for example, costs associated with travel and venue hire);
*Supply ready transcribed interview data, quickly, providing fast and cheap alternatives to face-to-face interviews;
*Reduce issues of interviewer effect as participants cannot 'see' each other.

There is the need to 'advertise' questionnaires to users which might be done through relevant newsgroups and forums although net-iquette does need to be adhered to.

Asynchronous online interviews

An asynchronous online interview is one where the researcher and the researched do not need to be online at the same time. Typically these interviews will use email but other technologies might also be employed. A concern related to the asynchronous method is the possibility of interviews gradually drying up over an extended period. While the possibility of longitudinal research is very valuable it is also riskier and requires high levels of participant motivation. Rezabek describes this as a "lack of timeliness". [Rezabek, Roger (2000, January). Online focus groups: Electronic discussions for research [67 paragraphs] . Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research [On-line Journal] , 1(1). (http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/1-00/1-00rezabek-e.htm]

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