Moderated session: Roles

Understand the roles in a Moderated session. 

Plan Availability:
Open interview (No tasks): All plans
Structured interview (With tasks): Essentials, Professional, International, and Premium

👥 User roles: Owner, Admins, Researchers, and Collaborators
For more information, see our article on how to find your plan and user role.

 

On this page:

 


 

Moderator

  • Is a required role
  • 1 to 5 people per study: We recommend one moderator per session to avoid confusing participants.
  • Needs a UserZoom login and the ability to access the study
  • Goes through System TechCheck
  • Is seen and/or heard by everyone
  • Join session: Moderators have to start the session and admit Participants.
  • Features:
    • Chat in 2 tabs
      • First tab: Participant only
      • Second tab:
        • Moderators
        • Notetakers
        • Observers
    • Share their screen
    • Take and see notes
    • Join via Desktop
    • Webcam:
      • The Moderator is seen unless they turn off their own camera.
      • Can switch cameras under Settings.
      • Can also turn off the Participant’s camera.
    •  Audio:
      • Heard by everyone
      • Can mute/unmute themself, Participants, and Note Takers
      • Can switch audio to their phone (Settings > Audio > Switch to phone), but still have to be connected to the session in the original browser.

 

 

Participants

  • 1 required (with a maximum of 1 per session)
  • Is seen and/or heard by everyone
  • Join the session:
    • Via Desktop or mobile depending on the study configuration
    • Stays in the Waiting Room until the Moderator admits them
  • Features:
    • Chat with Moderators only
    • Switch cameras under Settings.
    • Audio:
      • Heard by everyone
      • Can mute themself
      • Can switch audio to their phone (Settings > Audio > Switch to phone), but still have to be connected to the session in the original browser.
    • Share their screen

 

 

Notetaker

  • Not required
  • Needs a UserZoom login and the ability to access the study
  • Goes through System TechCheck
  • Is hidden from the participant (unless they unmute themself)
  • Join the session:
    • Via Desktop only
    • Can join at any time
  • Features:
    • Audio:
      • Can mute/unmute themselves (Keep in mind that participants don't know they're there.)
      • Can switch audio to their phone (Settings > Audio > Switch to phone), but still have to be connected to the session in the original browser.
    • Chat:
      • See chat in 2 tabs
        • First tab: Moderator's chat with Participants is read-only
        • Second tab: Can chat with:
          • Moderators
          • Notetakers
          • Observers
    • Take and see notes

 

 

Observer

  • Not required
  • Doesn't need a login
  • Is hidden from the participant
  • Join the session:
    • Via Desktop only
    • Stays in the Waiting Room until the Moderator admits the Participant
  • Features:
    • Their microphone and webcam are not connected.
    • Can only watch the session
    • Chat:
      • See chat in 2 tabs
        • First tab: Moderator's chat with Participants is read-only
        • Second tab: Can chat with:
          • Moderators
          • Notetakers
          • Observers

 

 

Roles and Features reference chart

Feature Moderator Notetaker Observer Participant
Attendees allowed per session

Moderated session headcount total is 50. This includes:

Requires Login Yes Yes No No
Go through System Check Yes Yes No Yes
Video (on webcam)
  • Video is on automatically.
  • Can choose another camera under Settings (when multiple cameras are available).
  • Can turn off the Participant’s camera.
Can't be seen by anyone in the session Can't be seen by anyone in the session
  • Can choose another camera under Settings (when multiple cameras are available).
  • Can't turn the camera off after enabling it during the Tech Check.
Speaker (audio) Yes Can unmute themselves and be heard by the participant (who won’t know they are there) Can't be heard by anyone in the session Yes
Can switch audio to mobile phone Yes: Settings > Audio > Switch to Phone
(Must keep the browser window open. If you close the browser, you will be disconnected from the session.)
Mute Can mute themself, Note Takers, or the Participant Can mute themself N/A - can't be seen or heard by anyone Can mute themself
Take notes in UserZoom Yes Yes No No
Chat

2 tabs:

  • Chat with Team
  • Chat with Participant

2 tabs:

  • Chat with Team
  • View Only: Chat with Participant

2 tabs:

  • Chat with Team
  • View Only: Chat with Participant
Chat with Moderator
Join session Moderator starts the session and admits others Can join the session at any time Stays in the Waiting Room until admits the participant Stays in the Waiting Room until admitted by the Moderator
Share screen Yes No No Yes

 

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