Voice-only Skype for use in researching sensitive topics: a research note

ABSTRACT

This research note adds to a growing body of literature supporting Skype as an effective method for conducting interviews by describing its use in research on a sensitive topic in psychology. Considerations before beginning research and the advantages and disadvantages of using Skype in sensitive topics research are discussed. Drawing on our own research using voice-only Skype for conducting research into sexual identity, we conclude that Skype can be an effective method for getting detailed information from participants and should be considered as a useful tool in conducting research into sensitive topics. Key steps for setting up Skype for research on sensitive topics are included in a checklist.

KEYWORDS:

• Skype
• sensitive topics
• internet interviews
• qualitative interviews
• checklist

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship in supporting this research.

Notes on contributors

Jessica B. A. Sipes

Jessica Sipes is a PhD candidate at Curtin University in the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology. Her research focuses on sexual identity development and exploration online.

Lynne D. Roberts

Lynne Roberts, Associate Professor is a teaching and research academic in the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology at Curtin University. Lynne teaches advanced research methods to psychology students and has a particular interest in online research methods and online research ethics.

Barbara Mullan

Barbara Mullan, Associate Professor is a Chartered Health Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and is a registered Health Psychologist with the Health Professions Council. She has extensive experience in recruiting hard to reach groups including children and young adults, people with eating disorders, diabetes, stroke and obesity. Her research interests include intervening to develop habits and using social cognition models to predict and intervene to improve health, particularly food-related behaviours, physical health and addiction.