Q. How long can an interview session last?
There is no limit to the duration of an interview session. Researchers can talk to participants as long as both parties would like!
Q. Are downloads required for researchers or participants?
For desktop sessions, no downloads are required! For mobile sessions, participants will need to download the Dscout mobile app.
Q. Will scouts see my company info?
Nope, not unless you want them to! Dscout conceals and protects your company’s identity. It’s up to you to tell participants more about your company if you choose.
Q. How can I share stimuli?
You can pre-upload stimuli – images, videos, websites, links and more – and create as many stim boards as you’d like, and reveal one board at a time to your participant with a click of a button. You’re in control to share the right stimulus at the right time, without having to manage assets during a call.
Q. Can I share prototypes, too?
Definitely! You can pre-load links to prototypes through stimuli boards, or send a link to a participant on the fly using the in-call chat function.
Q. How does screen sharing work?
Participants and moderators are able to share their screens. You can begin screen sharing during your call by clicking the blue Start Screen Share button on the left.
When participants share their screen, moderators can see a participant's screen and their webcam simultaneously. This means you can watch participants’ candid reactions alongside their screens.
Researchers have the option of sharing their entire screen or just a specific application window or browser tab.
Q. Do interview studies work on mobile?
Yes! When setting up your mission, you will be able to choose between mobile or desktop, but not both, for your sessions. For more information specifically about mobile sessions, feel free to check out this article.
Q. Can you use your own participants?
Absolutely! Bringing your own participants is simple. For more information, see Enable a webpage for an interview study.
Q. Can you export video and notes from the conversation?
Video (with audio) and notes can be exported, along with transcripts and clips. For more information, see Export a session from an interview study.
Q. Can my coworkers observe remotely during the interview?
You can invite project collaborators to join your interview session as an observer. Observers are visible to the call moderator and fellow observers, but participants will not be aware that observers have joined. You'll be able to communicate with your observers through the built-in chat functionality.
Q. Is there technical support for participants?
Participants are supported with several resources to help ensure a high-quality interview. Participants receive clear instructions to test their setup prior to joining a call to ensure their hardware and connection is working properly. We urge participants to test their setup well before a call, so we can offer direct support when needed. Participants can always contact live@dscout.com for help.
Q. How do I schedule interview sessions with participants?
You can schedule participants manually or choose automatic scheduling to share a calendar of available time slots and let participants book interviews directly.
Q. As a researcher, how do I find out about and keep track of scheduled sessions?
When a participant books a session, you will receive an email notification. Scheduled sessions are also visible in the participant management page of your study. You can add scheduled sessions straight from the participant management page to your Google or Outlook calendar.
Q. Can multiple participants join the same session for a “focus group” experience?
Interview sessions are currently 1:1.
Q. Is transcription automatic?
Yes! Interviews are automatically transcribed during the session, and the transcriptions are available to you a few moments after your session concludes.
Q. Can I use international participants, and what languages are supported with transcription?
Participants are available internationally, and you can bring your own participants from anywhere! To be sure your transcripts match the language spoken in-session, you'll want to be sure to select your mission language under Setup > Details > Specs in your mission. Learn more about our available languages here!
Q. What are the platform requirements for interview sessions?
Desktop sessions are built for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers on computers for both participants and researchers. Participants will need to have a working webcam and microphone, as well as have a strong Wi-Fi connection. With mobile sessions, participants can join the session using the Dscout app on their phone with no additional requirements. However, even with mobile sessions, the moderators and any observers on the call will still have to join using a desktop/laptop computer.