Internet-Based Research Methods

The term Internet-based research methods refers to research methods that use the Internet to collect data. Most commonly the web has been used as the means for conducting the study, but email has been used as well. The use of email to collect data dates back to the 1980s, whereas the first uses of the web to collect data started in the mid-1990s. While email is principally limited to survey and questionnaire methodology, the web, with its ability to use media, can do full experiments and implement a wide variety of research methods. The use of the Internet offers new opportunities for access to participants allowing for larger and more diverse samples. In addition, as the nature of the web and social media evolve, so ...