Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 6/2012

01-12-2012 | Hints & Kinks

Testing Skype as an interview method in epidemiologic research: response and feasibility

Authors: Tobias Weinmann, Silke Thomas, Susanne Brilmayer, Sabine Heinrich, Katja Radon

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Despite its popularity, Skype has not been tested as a tool for epidemiologic research. We examined its feasibility in Germany.

Methods

A population-based sample of young adults was randomly invited to a Skype (n = 150) or a phone interview (n = 150). Response and duration of interviews were analysed to evaluate the feasibility of Skype interviews.

Results

Response was low and, with 10 % (95 % CI 5–15 %), even worse among Skype candidates, compared to 22 % (15–28 %) in the phone group. A third of the Skype group asked for being interviewed by phone. Median duration was 34.0 minutes for Skype interviews and 37.0 minutes for phone interviews.

Conclusions

Skype is not yet a feasible tool for data collection in Germany.
Literature
go back to reference Bexelius C, Merk H, Sandin S et al (2009) SMS versus telephone interviews for epidemiological data collection: feasibility study estimating influenza vaccination coverage in the Swedish population. Eur J Epidemiol 24(2):73–81PubMedCrossRef Bexelius C, Merk H, Sandin S et al (2009) SMS versus telephone interviews for epidemiological data collection: feasibility study estimating influenza vaccination coverage in the Swedish population. Eur J Epidemiol 24(2):73–81PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Davies J, McCrae BP, Frank J et al (2000) Identifying male college students’ perceived health needs, barriers to seeking help, and recommendations to help men adopt healthier lifestyles. J Am Coll Health 48(6):259–267PubMedCrossRef Davies J, McCrae BP, Frank J et al (2000) Identifying male college students’ perceived health needs, barriers to seeking help, and recommendations to help men adopt healthier lifestyles. J Am Coll Health 48(6):259–267PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference De Cicco L, Mascolo S, Palmisano V (2011) Skype Video congestion control: an experimental investigation. Computer Netw 55:558–571CrossRef De Cicco L, Mascolo S, Palmisano V (2011) Skype Video congestion control: an experimental investigation. Computer Netw 55:558–571CrossRef
go back to reference Donovan RJ, Holman CD, Corti B, Jalleh G (1997) Face-to-face household interviews versus telephone interviews for health surveys. Aust N Z J Public Health 21(2):134–140PubMedCrossRef Donovan RJ, Holman CD, Corti B, Jalleh G (1997) Face-to-face household interviews versus telephone interviews for health surveys. Aust N Z J Public Health 21(2):134–140PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Edwards PJ, Roberts I, Clarke MJ et al (2009) Methods to increase response to postal and electronic questionnaires. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3:MR000008 Edwards PJ, Roberts I, Clarke MJ et al (2009) Methods to increase response to postal and electronic questionnaires. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3:MR000008
go back to reference Galea S, Tracy M (2007) Participation rates in epidemiologic studies. Ann Epidemiol 17(9):643–653PubMedCrossRef Galea S, Tracy M (2007) Participation rates in epidemiologic studies. Ann Epidemiol 17(9):643–653PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Heinrich S, Peters A, Kellberger J et al (2011) Study on occupational allergy risks (SOLAR II) in Germany: design and methods. BMC Public Health 11:298PubMedCrossRef Heinrich S, Peters A, Kellberger J et al (2011) Study on occupational allergy risks (SOLAR II) in Germany: design and methods. BMC Public Health 11:298PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Jones L, Saksvig BI, Grieser M et al (2011) Recruiting adolescent girls into a follow-up study: benefits of using a social networking website. Contemp Clin Trials 33(2):268–272PubMedCrossRef Jones L, Saksvig BI, Grieser M et al (2011) Recruiting adolescent girls into a follow-up study: benefits of using a social networking website. Contemp Clin Trials 33(2):268–272PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ramo DE, Hall SM, Prochaska JJ (2010) Reaching young adult smokers through the internet: comparison of three recruitment mechanisms. Nicotine Tob Res 12(7):768–775PubMedCrossRef Ramo DE, Hall SM, Prochaska JJ (2010) Reaching young adult smokers through the internet: comparison of three recruitment mechanisms. Nicotine Tob Res 12(7):768–775PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Rhodes SD, Bowie DA, Hergenrather KC (2003) Collecting behavioural data using the world wide web: considerations for researchers. J Epidemiol Community Health 57(1):68–73PubMedCrossRef Rhodes SD, Bowie DA, Hergenrather KC (2003) Collecting behavioural data using the world wide web: considerations for researchers. J Epidemiol Community Health 57(1):68–73PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Russell CW, Boggs DA, Palmer JR et al (2011) Use of a web-based questionnaire in the Black Women’s Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 172(11):1286–1291CrossRef Russell CW, Boggs DA, Palmer JR et al (2011) Use of a web-based questionnaire in the Black Women’s Health Study. Am J Epidemiol 172(11):1286–1291CrossRef
go back to reference Sedgwick M, Spiers J (2009) The use of videoconferencing as a medium for the qualitative interview. Int J Qual Meth 8(1):1–11 Sedgwick M, Spiers J (2009) The use of videoconferencing as a medium for the qualitative interview. Int J Qual Meth 8(1):1–11
go back to reference Touvier M, Mejean C, Kesse-Guyot E et al (2010) Comparison between web-based and paper versions of a self-administered anthropometric questionnaire. Eur J Epidemiol 25(5):287–296PubMedCrossRef Touvier M, Mejean C, Kesse-Guyot E et al (2010) Comparison between web-based and paper versions of a self-administered anthropometric questionnaire. Eur J Epidemiol 25(5):287–296PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Vergnaud AC, Touvier M, Mejean C et al (2011) Agreement between web-based and paper versions of a socio-demographic questionnaire in the NutriNet-Sante study. Int J Public Health 56(4):407–417PubMedCrossRef Vergnaud AC, Touvier M, Mejean C et al (2011) Agreement between web-based and paper versions of a socio-demographic questionnaire in the NutriNet-Sante study. Int J Public Health 56(4):407–417PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Testing Skype as an interview method in epidemiologic research: response and feasibility
Authors
Tobias Weinmann
Silke Thomas
Susanne Brilmayer
Sabine Heinrich
Katja Radon
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0404-7

Other articles of this Issue 6/2012

International Journal of Public Health 6/2012 Go to the issue