VorOrtInterviews

VorOrtInterviews, often written as Vor-Ort-Interviews, denotes interviews conducted in the field at the subject's location or at a site relevant to the research question. The term reflects the on-site nature of data collection and is used in journalism, market research, user experience studies, and ethnography to emphasize contextually grounded data.

Methodology typically involves careful planning, including defining objectives, selecting participants, obtaining informed consent, and coordinating access to the site. Researchers prepare an interview guide with open-ended questions and supplement audio or video recordings with field notes. The on-site setting can provide contextual cues, environmental details, and artifacts that influence responses and reveal tacit knowledge.

Advantages of VorOrtInterviews include access to authentic behavior in natural settings, richer contextual information, and the ability to observe nonverbal cues and environmental interactions. Challenges encompass logistical complexity, safety and privacy concerns, potential observer effects, time constraints, and the need for interviewers to manage cultural and language factors and equipment reliability.

Applications span journalism, market and user experience research, and ethnographic fieldwork, where interview data are often integrated with observations and artifacts from the site. Ethics and data protection are important, with emphasis on informed consent, confidentiality, and proper handling of recordings and notes.

See also: on-site interview, field research, ethnography, usability testing.