> 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/manage-an-interview-study/first-time-participant-flow-in-a-desktop-interview-study.md).

# First time participant flow in a desktop interview study

When inviting your own participants to an interview study, you might be curious what the experience looks like from their perspective. This article outlines the process for participants accessing a Dscout desktop interview study for the first time.

{% hint style="info" %}
To learn more about the participant flow for joining a **mobile** interview study, see [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 %}

## Webpage signup

To recruit your own participants for an interview study, you’ll most often use a study webpage. With a study webpage, you can simply share a URL with the people you want to invite that allows them to sign up.

When participants visit your study webpage, it’ll look something like this:

![](/files/a3ba58ce72d33544d14e84356524a2faaa5e3ce4)

When participants enter the requested information and agree to [Dscout’s Terms and Conditions](https://dscout.com/legal/scout-terms?_gl=1*27qbfg*_gcl_au*MTkyMjk2ODA1LjE3NzI4MTg3NDcuMjY2MTY5MjQ4LjE3NzI4MjMwMTcuMTc3MjgyMzAzMA..*_ga*MTc5NTgzNDQyMS4xNzcyODE4NzQ3*_ga_NKGLHGWRSN*czE3NzMxODcyNzckbzUkZzEkdDE3NzMxODc0NzMkajYwJGwwJGgw&_ga=2.37474528.1773296808.1773187278-1795834421.1772818747), they’ll land on a page like this where they’ll need to **Accept mission**:

![](/files/76f891337b45f7481953c309c888bbac499fb69c)

{% hint style="info" %}
Providing a name and email address does not add participants to Dscout’s Scout Panel. We will not contact them for additional opportunities unless they choose to join our panel on their own.
{% endhint %}

## Hardware setup

After participants accept the invitation, they’ll be prompted to complete a quick hardware check to ensure they have the proper equipment and permissions to take part in an interview session:

![](/files/c0b52a4e6e151d105a7b50a7193a2bc457da54d7)

Once participants click **Start hardware setup**, access to their camera, microphone, and speakers will be verified. Dscout will also confirm they’re using a compatible browser (Chrome or Edge) and that their Wi-Fi connection is stable. Once everything looks good, the **Complete hardware setup** button will become enabled at the top of the page:

![](/files/ada9861332d585c3149eb89eb85bef9487ddf747)

## Time slot selection

Once participants have completed the required hardware check, they’ll be able to select a time slot for their interview session:

{% hint style="info" %}
If you have yet to publish time slots for your interview study, you’ll need to either follow up with your participants to schedule their sessions or assign them manually. For more information, see [Manage time slots in an interview study](/interview-studies/create-an-interview-study/manage-time-slots-in-an-interview-study.md).
{% endhint %}

![](/files/ddc74e72440be0dc82e201c66b772b67c5d25ab2)

After confirming a time slot, participants are good to go! They’ll receive an email reminder prior to their session that includes the session link.

If you’re ready to join a session yourself, see [Join an interview session](/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/join-an-interview-session.md) for more information.


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