Teleconferencing is linked to surveys, interview and participatory or co-design. These formats of research and design are used to gain information from an individual or a larger population.
Teleconferencing is often regarded with suspicion, associated with scams similar to telephone sales, which is something the operator must dispel early in any correspondence during recruitment.
Advantages
- Two-way conversations between people at a distance.
- Conversations with vulnerable participants.
- Brings together groups of people who would find it difficult to otherwise meet.
- Distribution of a consistent message to a working group.
- To get results/consensus on a specific action.
- Can be used as an alternative to a physical focus group meeting.
Disadvantages
- Teleconferencing does not include body language.
- Video conferencing may be biased due to moderators or other external influence off-camera.
- Requires time to organise people to attend a time and place.
- May be expensive.
Useful links
Cohen, L., L.Mannion, and K.Morrison 2007. Research methods in education. 6th ed. London, New York: Routledge.
Torrens, GE (2011) Universal Design: empathy and affinity. In Karwowski, W, Soares, M, M, Stanton, A, N, Eds, (ed) Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Consumer Products, CRC Press, pp.233-248 Available at: (https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/dspace-jspui/handle/2134/15737), Accessed: [7/11/2015]
Wilson, J. R., and E. N. Corlett. 1995. Evaluation of human work: A practical ergonomics methodology. 2nd ed. London: Taylor & Francis.