> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/join-an-interview-session.md).

# Join an interview session

There are three possible roles you might have when joining an interview session: moderator, observer, or guest. The process for joining looks a little different for each, so refer to the sections below for more information.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** This article covers joining an interview session from the researcher perspective. For information on how your participants will join a session, see [First time participant flow in a desktop interview study](/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/first-time-participant-flow-in-a-desktop-interview-study.md) or [First time participant flow in a mobile interview study](/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/first-time-participant-flow-in-a-mobile-interview-study.md).
{% endhint %}

## Join a session as a moderator

Moderators run the interview sessions. They’re the people asking participants questions, keeping the conversation going, and getting to the root of what you’re trying to discover.

**To join a session as a moderator:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Locate the participant whose session you want to join.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Start session** in the participant’s row. The device setup page is displayed.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/35grU71aqVD7uNi1qL5J/47114820150932)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Complete the displayed hardware checks.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Resolve any permission issues as prompted.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Join session** at the top of the page.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/3CvpM1hnzeefgbOl7yqJ/47114804775444)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Start call** to be connected to the participant and start the recording.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/3FMKtUerRKt2drWzhjah/47114820159124)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** The **Start call** button will be disabled until the participant joins the call from their end.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, your session is in progress! You can leave the session at any time by clicking **End session** in the top right corner. When the moderator ends the session, the recording stops.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** For a walkthrough of navigating a session while it’s in progress, see [Navigate an interview session](/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/navigate-an-interview-session.md).
{% endhint %}

## Join a session as an observer

Observers are colleagues of a session’s moderator who do not need to speak with the participant directly. These are people who want to listen in without the participant knowing they’re there.

**To join a session as an observer:**

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If a session’s moderator has sent you the session link, you can use that to access the session directly. Then, complete the following steps beginning with step 4.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Locate the participant whose session you want to join.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Observe session** in the participant’s row. The device setup page is displayed.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/fVXdVviIZOU6uMxX4ezz/47114804778900)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Complete the displayed hardware checks.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Resolve any permission issues as prompted.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Join session** at the top of the page.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/A94yR09JpIREoKqTULQ8/47114820167700)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, you’ve joined the session as an observer. When the moderator begins the call on their end, you’ll be able to watch and listen in without the participant knowing you’re there. You can leave the session at any time by clicking **Exit session** in the top right corner.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** For a walkthrough of navigating a session while it’s in progress, see [Navigate an interview session](/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/navigate-an-interview-session.md).
{% endhint %}

## Join a session as a guest

Guests are people outside of the moderator’s Dscout account who may have an interest in the research being conducted, like an external stakeholder. They do not have access to Dscout themselves but can listen in on a session with limited functionality.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Guests can hear and see the moderator(s) and participants of a session, but they will not have access to the chat.
{% endhint %}

**To join a session as a guest:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open the link sent to you by the session’s moderator.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter the **Password** sent to you by the session’s moderator.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Continue**.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/vo1XSykFRC7cQQ5J2Cqu/47114820170004)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter your **First name** and **Last name**.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/r1i5xyPGECssAYqoGOgO/47114804787220)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Joining a session as a guest will not create a Dscout account.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Next**. The device setup page is displayed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Complete the displayed hardware checks.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Resolve any permission issues as prompted.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Join session** at the top of the page.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/IKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd/blobs/5Ij7tJOXEh43DtqN8EVf/47114804788244)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, you’ve joined the session as a guest. When the moderator begins the call on their end, you’ll be able to watch and listen in without the participant knowing you’re there. You can leave the session at any time by clicking **Exit session** in the top right corner.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://help.dscout.com/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/join-an-interview-session.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.