Promoting and Problematizing the Use of Video Conferencing as an Interview Method: Generation Z Perspectives

This paper examines the use of video-conferencing interviews (VCI) as the primary method of data collection in a research study of generation Z preservice teachers’ perspectives on working with families of children with disabilities. Generation Z has only known the mobile world and this new way of story-telling called social media. With this in mind, the idea that face-to-face interviews (FTFI) are the gold standard of practice in qualitative research should be challenged and examined more carefully in light of our changing world and the influence technology has had and will have on our research practices and participants. While VCI or phone interviews are viewed as acceptable alternatives, it could be argued that researchers “settle” for these alternatives when cost or geographical location are key considerations of their research projects. Conversely, some researchers argue that VCI are the same as FTFI and simply conducted in different places. The author of this paper presents several “problems” with viewing VCI as the same as FTFI, and/or as an inferior method of data collection. Overall, the paper attempts to provide an account of the methodological, practical, and ethical considerations of using VCI as a primary method of data collection with Generation Z participants