Proper methodologies for psychological and sociological studies conducted via the Internet

Abstract

This paper outlines specific methodologies for conducting research via computer networks. We discuss advantages of Internet experimentation over previous modes of telecommunicationfacilitated research and characterize features of studies that can benefit from Internet access and those which are unlikely to. Wepoint out pitfalls and suggest a range of potential solutions in terms of specific practical techniques for managing the design, dissemination, and collection of Internet materials. Wealso discuss techniques for minimizingattrition and for adapting to recalcitrance presented by "hacker" vandalism. The Internet and its sisters are qualitatively different from the other forms of electronic connectivity (telegraph, wireless radio, television, telephone) realized in this century and the last. The global computer-mediated connectivity supplied by the Internet is about as accessible as radio and television, but it is interactive in a way that radio, television, and even telephones are not. This paper outlines specific methodologies for conducting research via the Internet and suggests advantages over previous modes of telecommunication-facilitated research. We point out pitfalls and suggest a range of potential solutions. The "Infobahn" links academic, government, military, commercial, and private interests primarily via networked computer systems. Academic links mobilize potential subject pools into categories roughly sorted by age and academic level (grammar and secondary schools have connections in addition to undergraduate and graduate institutes). Moreover, commercial Internet access providers are proliferating. A January 1996 survey (Lottor, 1996) indicates 9.472 million hosts, with 1.79 million in u.s. academic domains and 2.43 million in commercial domains. Private access servers like CompuServe are in the commercial domain and offer access internationally.

Virtual subjects: Using the Internet as an alternative source of subjects and research environment

“…There are several potential solutions to this problem. Hewson et al (1996) suggest placing experimental programs on an FTP (file transfer protocol) site and permitting volunteers to download the software to run on their individual machines. Including protocols in the software to forward data files automatically to the researcher can also decrease demands on the volunteer, making this strategy less daunting to less proficient users of the Internet.…”

Internet research: Self-monitoring and judgments of attractiveness

“…There are compelling reasons for doing such work (e.g., Buchanan & Smith, I 999b;Hewson, Laurent, & Vogel, 1996;Reips, 1996Reips, ,2000Schmidt, 1997;Smith & Leigh, 1997;Szabo & Frenkl, 1996), and various traditional empirical protocols are being adapted for use on the Internet (e.g. Birnbaum, 1999;Joinson, 1999;Krantz, Ballard, & Scher, 1997;Pagani & Lombardi, 2000;Pasveer & Ellard, 1998;Schwarzer, Mueller, & Greenglass, 1999;Smith & Leigh, 1997;Stones & Perry, 1997).…”

Investigating moral intensity with the world-wide web: A look at participant reactions and a comparison of methods

“…Michalak (1998) also presents a range of arguments against using news/discussion groups as subject pools. In contrast, Hewson et al (1996) do advocate posting to discussion or disciplinary news groups and list servers as a whole, but not to individual e-mail addresses (see Smith & Leigh, 1997, for a more in-depth discussion of this and related issues). From an empirical perspective, Mehta and Sivadas' (1995) study seems to be the only presently available investigation that used a recruitment method similar to the present one for one of their experimental groups (posting to randomly selected individual e-mail addresses gained from list servers).…”

“…Several of the studies provide evidence of comparability between results gained by traditional and Internet methods of administration (Krantz et al, 1997;Mehta & Sivadas, 1995;Pasveer & Ellard, 1998;Smith & Leigh, 1997). In addition, a number of articles have appeared that outline the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of electronic survey and experiment administration (Hewson, Laurent, & Vogel, 1996;Schmidt, 1997a). Similarly, a number of writers provide software solutions to some of the identified tasks and problems (e.g., Chute & Westall, 1996;Morrow & MeKee, 1998;Schmidt, 1997b), as well as guidelines for reThe author acknowledges the critical contribution of Nick Young to the design of the experimental Web site.…”