Participant FAQ

FAQs

Find quick answers to common participant questions about the interview process, privacy and technical settings.

General Interview Questions

Commonly asked questions about the interview experience.

What is an AI-moderator?

Our AI moderator is an advanced virtual interviewer designed to guide you through the research study. You won’t see a robot or an avatar — think of it like speaking with an intelligent voice assistant. The AI-moderator listens to your responses and may ask follow-up questions based on what you say, creating a natural and interactive interview experience, similar to how it would be taking a human-moderated interview.

How does the call work?

Once you start your interview, Strella’s AI-moderator will guide you through a series of questions, just like a human conversation. Simply answer as naturally as possible. If you’re in a video or voice interview, make sure your microphone and camera (if required) are working properly.

Do I need to have my video on?

Video requirements are decided by the researcher who created the research study. In some cases, video will be required, but the study instructions will let you know in advance.

Do I need to share my screen?

Screensharing requirements are decided by the researcher who created the research study. In some cases, screensharing will be required, but the study instructions will let you know in advance.

Can you resume calls if you need to leave in the middle of it?

If you lose connection during an interview, or if you need to disconnect for another reason, you will be able to resume the interview. To do so, make sure you re-join the interview from the original link. You do not need re-register.

How and when will I get paid?

If you participate in a research study that provides and incentive, payments are made in the following ways: 1) If you were recruited through Respondent, payments are issued via PayPal. 2)If you were recruited through User Interviews, Payments are distributed via a choice of dozens of gift cards and can be redeemed on the User Interview website. 3) If you were recruited through the researcher, payment methods may vary Payment timelines vary by research study. Researchers will take the time to review your session and then will issue the payment. Payments are typically issues within 3-5 business days after completing the interview.

How long do I have to complete the interview?

We recommend completing the interview as soon as possible to ensure your spot, as some studies have limited availability. If the deadline is approaching, you may receive a reminder to complete the interview.

Can you change the speed of the moderators voice during the interview?

Yes - participants can change the voice speed during the interview to match their preferred speed of conversation.

Can you change the language the interview is conducted in?

In many cases, yes. Strella supports multiple languages, and you can change the language of the interview while you are confirming the interview setup before the interview begins. Strella currently supports the following languages: Danish, German, English, English (Australia), English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Chinese.

What happens with my data?

Your responses are recorded and securely stored for research purposes. The research team analyzing the data follows strict privacy policies, and your personal information will not be shared outside the study without your consent.

Technical Issues

Commonly asked questions about technical aspects of the interview

What should I do if I can't hear the moderator?

If you cannot hear the moderator, we recommend you 1) check your speaker or headphone connection, 2) make sure your device’s sound settings are turned on, and 3) adjust the volume in the settings.

What if I experience lags or delays?

A slow internet connection can cause delays. Try switching to a stronger Wi-Fi network or closing other applications using bandwidth.

Can I use my phone instead of a computer?

This depends on the type of interview being conducted, and the requirements of the researcher. Some Strella interviews are mobile-friendly, however, for the best experience (especially for video interviews), using a laptop or desktop is recommended. It will be stated before the interview if a desktop computer with a webcam is required.