Using audio-mixing software to facilitate remote data collection of conversational interactions

Abstract

This paper discusses the issues with using open source, audio-mixing technology to facilitate remote data collection of speech samples, which was needed specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, but will also be beneficial in other contexts, e.g., to save on time and costs associated with travelling. We discuss practical constraints associated with remote data collection using this technology. We also consider issues around ethics, security, and data quality in using technology to record conversational interactions. We provide the example of using common tools such as MS Teams and smartphones and two types of software to conduct interviews to collect speech data as a proof-of-concept and offer further directions for research