AI-Moderated Interviews

Some studies include interviews conducted by our AI Moderator. This guide explains how these interviews work and how to succeed in them.

What Is the AI Moderator?

The AI Moderator is Terac's automated interview system. It:

Asks questions based on the study's research goals
Listens to and transcribes your responses
Evaluates your answers for relevance and quality
Conducts interviews consistently across all participants

Think of it as a friendly interviewer that guides you through a conversation about specific topics.

Interview Types

Screening Interviews

Brief interviews to verify you qualify:

5-10 minutes
Basic qualification questions
Determines if you proceed to the main study

Task Interviews

The main research activity:

15-45 minutes typically
In-depth discussion of specific topics
Your responses are the primary research data

Standalone Interviews

Complete interviews that are the entire study:

Variable length
May cover multiple topics
Often higher compensation

Technical Requirements

Before your interview, ensure you have:

Browser

Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (latest version)
Edge may work but is not officially supported

Microphone

Built-in or external microphone
Test it before the interview
Minimize background noise

Internet Connection

Stable connection (Wi-Fi or ethernet)
At least 5 Mbps upload/download
Avoid mobile data if possible

Environment

Quiet location
Minimal interruptions
Good lighting (if video is required)

The Interview Flow

Step 1: Join the Interview

Click the interview link when you're ready. You'll enter a waiting room powered by LiveKit (our audio/video platform).

Step 2: Microphone Check

The system will test your microphone. Speak when prompted to ensure your audio is working.

Step 3: Introduction

The AI Moderator will introduce itself and explain what to expect. Listen for any specific instructions.

Step 4: Questions

The moderator asks questions one at a time:

Listen to the complete question
Take a moment to think
Respond clearly and thoroughly
The moderator will move to the next question when appropriate

Step 5: Follow-ups

Based on your answers, the moderator may ask follow-up questions to dig deeper into certain topics.

Step 6: Wrap-up

When all questions are covered, the moderator will thank you and end the interview. Your responses are then processed and reviewed.

Tips for Successful Interviews

Before the Interview

Test your setup check microphone and internet
Find a quiet spot background noise affects quality
Review the topic know what the study is about
Have water nearby interviews can be long

During the Interview

Speak clearly enunciate and avoid mumbling
Be thorough longer, detailed answers are usually better
Be authentic share your genuine experiences and opinions
Take your time pauses are okay; think before responding
Stay on topic answer the question that was asked

After the Interview

Wait for completion don't close the browser until the interview ends
Check your submission verify it shows as completed
Note any issues report problems to support immediately

Common Issues and Solutions

"Microphone not detected"

Check your browser permissions for microphone access
Ensure the correct microphone is selected
Try a different browser
Restart your browser

Audio quality is poor

Move closer to your microphone
Reduce background noise
Check your internet connection
Use headphones to prevent echo

Interview disconnected

Check your internet connection
Refresh the page and try to rejoin
Contact support if you can't reconnect

The moderator doesn't understand me

Speak more slowly and clearly
Avoid speaking while the moderator is talking
Try rephrasing your response

FAQ

Can I retake an interview?

Generally no. Each interview is a one-time opportunity. If technical issues prevented completion, contact support immediately.

Are interviews recorded?

Yes, interviews are recorded for research purposes. Recordings may include audio and transcripts. See our data usage policy.

What language should I use?

Use the language specified in the study. This is usually the language you selected during onboarding.

How long do interviews take?

Interview length varies by study, from 5 minutes (screening) to 60+ minutes (in-depth research). The expected duration is shown before you start.

What if I need to stop mid-interview?

Try to avoid stopping mid-interview as it may affect your submission. If you must stop, the system will save your progress where possible. Contact support for help.

What's Next?

Review best practices to improve your overall success rate on Terac.

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