OBJECTIVES: As an integral step of the linguistic validation of COAs, cognitive interviews are conducted to test a translation on a representative sample of respondents. Frequently, interviews are conducted in-person or, when necessary, over the telephone. The use of video chat applications may aid in recruitment of individuals not located in major cities as it would eliminate travel for the interviewer and respondents. This research examines respondents’ preferences regarding interview methodology.

METHODS: Ninety-six cognitive interview participants in 15 countries were asked to indicate access to video chat technology as well as preferred interview method, along with their rationale. Questions were asked before and after each in-person interview. Respondents were asked:

1. Do you have access to Skype/Facetime or a similar video chat application?
2. Would you prefer an interview that is conducted in-person or via video chat?
3. Now that you have completed the interview, would you have preferred that this interview took place via video chat?

RESULTS: During initial questioning, 50 respondents indicated access to video chat applications. Of those respondents, 27 indicated that they would prefer in-person interviews with varying rationale including: “face-to-face conversations are always better in terms of understanding” and “video is OK for overseas relatives, but not for something like this.” After completion of the cognitive interview, 7 of the 27 respondents changed their opinion with one respondent explaining, “It makes the whole process quicker and more convenient.”

CONCLUSIONS: Access to video chat applications is a limiting factor as indicated by 48% of respondents, but other factors have an impact as well. While 52% of respondents had access, over half expressed hesitation to participate in video chat interviews which must also be considered. Additional research is needed to evaluate other potential factors, including the nature of the interviews (topic), methodologies such as telephone interviews, as well as surveying following video interviewing.