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!! Practical considerations
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1) __Software__%%% One should consider the benefits and drawbacks of different types of available video conferencing software packages (van der Ploeg & Blankinship 2022). For example, Google Meet is relatively easy to use, and does not require one to download software or create an account, like Zoom does. However, if one’s university does not have a privacy agreement with Google, using it may not adhere to (the institution’s) privacy guidelines
2)__ Practicing video conferencing before data collection__%%% Conducting meetings prior to the actual data collection (e.g., the screening session) through video conferencing also gives both the participant and the researcher a chance to address potential technical issues. This decreases the odds of problems when research data is collected.
3) __Computers vs tablets __. Older participants often do not have access to a desktop computer or laptop, or they are more comfortable completing tasks on their tablet (e.g., iPad) than on a computer or laptop. In these cases, it may be advisable to program a touchscreen-friendly version of tasks (cf. Van Der Ploeg and Blankinship 2022).
4)__ Access to the materials__. Although we do live in an increasingly technology-focused society, researchers should not automatically assume that all potential participants, particularly those from a lower socioeconomic background, have reliable or consistent access to a computer, email, or smartphone. Therefore, if researchers want a representative sample (i.e., one that does not lead from the overrepresentation of highly educated and high socio-economic status people), online data-collection may not be suitable.
5) __Cheating__. Something that may seem unexpected is that participants in studies that collect data via video conferencing may be more prone to cheating (e.g., writing down answers on a working memory task). Potentially, this is because they feel a pressure to 'perform' well. Therefore, it is helpful to remind participants that the goal of the test is not to get a perfect score, since many tasks are designed to prevent ceiling effects.
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