If you choose to record your interview, either to ensure accurate quotation or as a supplement to your notetaking, here are some things to consider and tips to ensure a smooth experience.
Recording with Zoom
It's most likely that you'll meet with your expert over Zoom. Here are some tips for recording using Zoom:
- Go to https://wellesley.zoom.us > Sign In > Schedule Meeting.
- Enter meeting information and save.
- Share invite with interviewee.
Once you and your interviewee are ready:
- Start your meeting
- Click Record in the toolbar at the bottom of the Zoom window
- Select Record to Cloud
- To stop the recording, press the stop button or click End Meeting
- Your Zoom recording will automatically be saved to your Cloud recordings.
- Click End Meeting to stop the recording. Once you confirm to end the meeting, the recording will be uploaded to Zoom Cloud, and you will receive an email when a transcript is available.
- Do your best to find (and, if possible, encourage your interviewee to find):
- A quiet location, free of audio or visual distractions (wind, music, passersby, etc.).
- Wired headphones with a microphone, which reduce the need for Zoom to use algorithmic background noise and echo suppression and improve the quality of the recorded audio. Avoid using Bluetooth headphones, as these can lead to lower-quality audio.
- A good internet connection, ideally wired ethernet or secure WiFi
- Try a test recording in the space and with the equipment you plan to use before your meeting.
- Restart your computer or close other programs (especially things like Chrome browser) before starting your meeting. Ideally, Zoom should be the only application you are running! This will improve your machine's ability to handle the Zoom call. If you have connectivity issues, try turning off your video to save internet bandwidth for the audio.
- Start recording before beginning the interview, and leave it recording after you've finished your questions.
- If you are conducting the interview in a language other than English, contact Laura O'Brien (lobrien) for help generating a transcript of your interview.)
Questions? Contact Laura O'Brien (lobrien)
