Fuschia M. Sirois A Research Ethics Board Educational Seminar Web-based Research & Surveys

Outline Purpose Brief overview of the pros and cons of web-based surveys Group exercise Examining specific ethical issues and possible solutions Sample web-based survey Questions and answers

Web-based Research & Surveys Purpose of this seminar is to: familiarize you with some of the ethical issues and concerns that arise when conducting on-line research offer possible solutions to help you address these issues when preparing the REB application provide a discussion forum for the exchange of ideas on how to deal with online research issues

On-line Surveys Growing in popularity as a research tool Many advantages Low cost, large samples, specialized samples, less time for data collection and entry Some disadvantages Fluidity of virtual contact Challenges for delivering compensation, incentives

Online Surveys vs. Mail Surveys Working in groups, discuss & list 5 ways that on-line surveys are similar to mail surveys different from mail surveys Focus on areas that are of particular relevance for conducting ethical research Take about 10 mins.

Online Surveys vs. Mail Surveys Mail SurveyOn-line Survey ConsentImplied by returnImplied by submission Delivery of incentives to preserve anonymity Mail back separate form with contact info back contact info separate from submitted survey Confidentiality for identified data keep identifying information separate from data Data securityKeep data in secure place (locked cabinet) Incoming data to be saved on secure server, on password protected computer or flash drive

Recruitment & Advertising So you have a web-survey how do you advertise it to your target population? Issues EX: The organization you wish to sample from offers to give you the list of its members Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [FIPPA] Get a short url (Web team)

Recruitment & Advertising Several options Newsletter (electronic or paper) Online ads Google adwords, Kijjiji.ca, Craigslists.com, etc. Online forums, newsgroups, bulletin boards for target population Request permission to post on boards Facilitates better response and guards against removal of study ad Community postings

Informed Consent Issues Consent implied by submission of survey (letter of information: LOF) Clicking on agree demonstrates consent and links to start of survey Include note to print out copy for their records Don’t include LOF in sent out Suggest providing link to welcome page which then links to LOF Set up either in Lotus Notes database Includes UWindsor logo, easy to set up

Anonymity of Responses Making survey responses anonymous Don’t request personal contact info Don’t add code to responses Ensuring anonymity may increase response rate for certain populations Right to withdraw? limited Make this clear in letter of information If responses need to be identifiable, then new issues…..

Confidentiality Issues If you need to track participants Link data across two time points User code Self-generated? The case of 5 Buffy123’s Provide instructions for creating code Choice of survey software/host Where is the survey server located? US-based survey hosts and the Patriot Act Nature of the data should guide decision to use non-Canadian based servers

Compensation & Incentives Draw vs. pay per person different issues Optional draw End of survey window with option to click mailto: link to send mailto: “Enter me in the Draw” in the subject line Pay per survey Beware of response floods! Identify survey responses with code which is sent in E-certificates for payment

Other Issues Explanation of study page If participant “x’s” out, how do they get this information? Program to automatically open explanation page if participant prematurely exits survey Include a “leave the study” button on every web page of the survey that would direct them to the explanation page Resources page with links Same issues and possible solutions Solutions limited by the capabilities of the software used

Some final thoughts…. Ways to deal with these issues may change as technology/programming advances However such changes may also introduce new challenges to be dealt with Creativity and due diligence

Resources for Conducting On-line Research Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet-based populations: Advantages and disadvantages of online survey research, online questionnaire authoring software packages, and web survey services. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10(3), article Provides comprehensive list of on-line survey software and comparative table Psychological Research Online: Opportunities and Challenges Marketing Research Association Ethical Guidelines for Internet Research The Association of Internet Researchers is an academic association dedicated to the advancement of the cross-disciplinary field of Internet studies. It is a member-based support network promoting critical and scholarly Internet research independent from traditional disciplines and existing across academic borders. The association is international in scope.

Fuschia M. Sirois A Research Ethics Board Educational Seminar Web-based Research & Surveys Questions?