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

Abstract

This paper presents a rationale for why some researchers might consider using the Internet for research by addressing four issues. First, a few unique research opportunities afforded by the Internet are discussed. Second, the utility of using newsgroups and the Telnet protocol is described. Third, Internet research ethical guidelines in five areas are developed. Fourth, the data validity issue is addressed, and previous research using Internet and introductory psychology subject samples is replicated. The samples were similaron 5of 7demographicvariablesbut differed in age and sex compositions, and response patterns for the two samples were similar to those reported previously. Finally,some limitations of the Internet are considered, as are its potentials to fulfill traditional research requirements and its use as an educational aid.The number of people using the Internet, the amount and type of information available, and the capabilities of the Internet are rapidly increasing. This suggests that researchers may find the Internet a useful research tool. It has the potential to serve as an alternative or supplemental source of subjects and research environment for traditional psychological investigations. Moreover, the potential impact of the Internet on human thought and behavior can be investigated. Developing the Internet as a research tool requires prudent consideration of important issues such as the ethical use of subjects, viable research methods, and data validity. We address these concerns by considering four issues. First, we consider some of the unique research opportunities the Internet may afford researchers. Second, we briefly describe two characteristics of the Internet that make it a useful research tool. Third, we propose some appropriate ethical guidelines and discuss some unique data security and validity issues that arise when conducting research on the Internet. We describe a survey study we conducted that used both a traditional sample and an Internet sample. This study will be used to assess the potential validity and generalizability of data collected from Internet subjects. Finally, we will discuss a few limitations and potentials of the Internet. By addressing these issues we hope to begin the process ofdeveloping the Internet as a valuable addition to the repertoire of research tools available to researchers.

Internet research: Self-monitoring and judgments of attractiveness

“…At this point in time, findings seem in general to show that Internet-mediated studies do address the same psychological phenomena and produce the same patterns of results as their traditional counterparts (e.g., Joinson & Buchanan, in press;Krantz et al, 1997;Krantz & Dalal, 2000;Smith & Leigh, 1997),…”

“…It has been suggested (e.g., Smith & Leigh, 1997) that the Internet is a good medium for recruiting members of such groups (see also MeKenna & Bargh, 1998). Even were this not the case, an Internet replication might be advantageous: Reips (2000) has argued that the findings of Web experiments may, due to the greater demographic diversity of participants, be more generalizable than those of conventional laboratory studies that have traditionally (e.g., McNemar, 1946) used students as participants (and still do today; Banyard & Hunt, 2000;Reips, 2000).…”

“…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).…”

Surveying “difficult-to-sample” backpackers throughFacebook? Employing a mixed-mode dual-frame procedure

“…Sax, Gilmartin, and Bryant (2003) found that when given the choice, men were more likely to choose an online survey, and women were more likely to choose a paper based survey. Similar studies have found that men are more likely to respond to online surveys than women (Palmquist & Stueve, 1996;Kehoe & Pitkow, 1996;Smith & Leigh, 1997 groups was age; the average age of the online respondents was almost 27, which were over 3 years older than the average hostel respondent. Many older backpackers have constraints to travelling for extended periods of time as they once did, such as jobs and families, but many do still actively participate in the backpacking culture through online communities (Paris, 2010a).…”

The exploration on network behaviors by using the models of Theory of planned behaviors (TPB), Technology acceptance model (TAM) and C-TAM-TPB

“…However, with the remarkably growing internet prevalence, convenience and usability recently, some researches reveal the compositions of internet surfers come with increasingly high heterogeneous users. Their difference to non-internet surfers is also dwindling gradually (Smith and Leigh, 1997;Hewson et al, 2003). Compared with traditional questionnaires, internet questionnaire surveys are merited with low cost and immediate response feedback.…”