Responding to Technological Disruptions During Online Video Interviews Conducted Via Zoom

When conducting online video interviews, researchers must be prepared for disruptions with the technology. In this essay I present reflections on my own decision-making processes during technological disruptions while conducting over 36 hours of online video interviews using the videoconferencing software, Zoom. I argue that researchers must consider the severity and frequency of technological disruptions, their research design and goals, and what is happening at the moment a disruption occurs in order to make the best decision possible for how to proceed while still maintaining the integrity of the data generation process.