Qualitative realist interviews using online video technology – challenges and opportunities

Particularly in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, interviewing using online video platforms such as Zoom, Teams or Skype has become common. This chapter outlines factors that should be considered when determining whether and how to conduct online audio-visual interviews in realist research and evaluations. Differences between realist interviews and other types of interviews are discussed, including the cognitive demands of realist interviewing, and how and why video realist interviews may differ from face-to-face realist interviews, particularly in some linguistic and cultural contexts. The challenges and opportunities of online interviewing for realist investigators are noted, and recommendations are provided.