VideoFragebogen

VideoFragebogen, sometimes written Video-Fragebogen in German, is a data collection method that combines a questionnaire with recorded video responses. The instrument can be delivered online or offline and may include structured items, semi-structured prompts, or open-ended questions. Respondents answer by speaking to a camera, producing data that include verbal content as well as nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and gestures. The process can be synchronous, with an interviewer guiding the session, or asynchronous, where respondents respond at their own pace after receiving the questions. Video files are typically stored securely and linked to respondent metadata for analysis.

In practice, VideoFragebogen is used in social science research, education, user experience studies, language assessment, and market research. It enables researchers to obtain richer qualitative data than text alone and can accommodate respondents who prefer speaking to typing or who are geographically dispersed. The medium allows analysis of prosody, emphasis, and nonverbal signals, which can inform interpretation of attitudes or experiences. However, it requires access to recording equipment and sufficient bandwidth, and it raises privacy and data protection concerns. Researchers must obtain informed consent, outline data handling procedures, and consider anonymization or restricted access, especially under regulations such as the GDPR.

Analysis typically includes transcription, coding of content, and coding of paralinguistic features, as well as checks for biases introduced by the interviewer in semi-structured formats. Related concepts include video interviews and video diaries, and variants exist as asynchronous or live formats.