> 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/what-are-interview-studies-in-dscout/user-roles-in-interview-sessions.md).

# User roles in interview sessions

Interview studies let you conduct moderated one-on-one sessions with participants. At a minimum, each session involves **one moderator and one participant**, but other users may join in various roles with different levels of functionality.

In an interview session, there are four possible roles a user may have:

* **Moderator:** The researcher or contributor conducting the interview. (Up to two per session on Dscout **Plus** plans or higher.)
* **Participant:** The person being interviewed. (Also referred to as a **Scout** when recruited from Dscout’s Scout Panel.)
* **Observer (optional):** A collaborator in your organization’s Dscout account (other than the moderator) who sits in on the session. Observers must have a Dscout account.
* **Guest (optional):** An additional stakeholder external to your Dscout account who sits in on the session. Guests do not require a Dscout account.

Each role has slightly different access to the features offered during an interview session. Use the table below to understand what each user can and can’t do:

| Functionality                                                                    | Moderator                                                              | Participant                                                                                 | Observer                   | Guest                      |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| **Visible to participant**                                                       | ✅                                                                      | N/a                                                                                         | ❌                          | ❌                          |
| **Member of your Dscout account**                                                | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | ✅                          | ❌                          |
| **Collaborator in Dscout project containing the study**                          | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | ✅                          | ❌                          |
| **Can view project folder and details (including other screeners and missions)** | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | ✅                          | ❌                          |
| **Can chat with participants during session (Desktop sessions only)**            | ✅                                                                      | N/a                                                                                         | ❌                          | ❌                          |
| **Can chat with observers during session**                                       | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | N/a                        | ❌                          |
| **Access and add session notes**                                                 | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | ✅                          | ❌                          |
| **Can add session markers**                                                      | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | ✅                          | ❌                          |
| **Can view list of moderators, observers, and guests**                           | ✅                                                                      | ❌                                                                                           | ✅                          | ✅                          |
| **Session emails received**                                                      | <p>Scheduling notice<br>Rescheduling notice<br>Cancellation notice</p> | <p>Scheduling notice<br>One-hour reminder<br>Rescheduling notice<br>Cancellation notice</p> | ❌ (invited via share link) | ❌ (invited via share link) |

For more information on inviting observers and guests or on accessing an interview session in either of these roles, see [Invite observers and guests to an interview session](/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/invite-observers-and-guests-to-an-interview-session.md).


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