Computer-Based Interviewing
Elicits information, especially when the information is sensitive or embarrassing.
Our ultimate goal is to improve the effectiveness of information gathering and understand what occurs when people interact with a computer. Using a computer to interview people has been shown to be impersonal and non-judgmental in a positive way. Similarly, a computer's seemingly limitless and patient characteristics may facilitate dialogue in special circumstances and in a variety of settings:
Parents of children referred to a psychiatric clinic
Research with a child and family psychiatry clinic showed computer- based interviews used at the initial family visit was acceptable by the parents, elicited more information than "face-to-face" interviews, and helped family members concentrate on the nature of their problems.
Alcohol counselling
We have conducted studies using computer-based interviews to gather personal information and drinking history from clients at an alcohol counselling centre and in a prison.
Rape crisis centre
Software has been produced for Dundee Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre that allows survivors to explore their emotions, write diaries, and also to find related information.
Usability engineering
We also investigate the role of computer-based interviewing and related tools for use in user-centred design, exploring potential of this technique to help people make requirements explicit for designers which may not have been clear even to themselves.
Simulating interpersonal interactions
We have identified ways to make computer interviewing more effective by developing computer-interviewing software packages that combine effective techniques of professional interviewers with non-human characteristics of a computer which may helpful in specific circumstances. Interestingly, a computer pretending to be a human is counter productive, but one that is polite (e.g. saying, "Thank you!") is appreciated.
People working within this theme: Norman Alm, Peter Gregor, Craig Ramsay, Graeme Coleman, Kenny Morrison
Research projects related to this theme: Digital Media Access Group
View publications related to this theme