Internet-based Research Research Articles

A review of ethics in psychiatric research

To summarize important recent contributions to the literature on the subject of ethics in psychiatric research. Current literature reflects an expansion in the range of psychiatric research on ethics topics. Articles continue to appear on core ethics subjects such as informed consent, but many recent contributions focus on diverse issues such as third-party privacy, the ethics of Internet-based research, revisiting the wisdom of imposing medical ethics requirements on observational research, and psychiatric research ethics as applied to special populations such as children or older persons. Psychiatric research is critical for the elucidation, prevention, and treatment of mental diseases. Increased attention and novel approaches taken to obtain informed consent, correcting therapeutic misconception, and guarding privacy will advance the research enterprise and continue to ensure that the subjective experiences of participants in psychiatric research remain positive.

Thoughts on the Development of the Communication Discipline in the United States and Russia

An earlier version of this paper was prepared as a response to the Russian Communication Association’s panel on “The Study of Communication in Russia: State and Perspectives,” at the International Communication Association Convention in Montréal, Canada, May 2008. Papers on the panel included: Galina V. Sinekopova, The Discipline of Communication in the U.S. and Russia: Field Notes; Olga Leontovich, Controversial Issues in Russian Communication Study; Irina Privalova, Communicating Worldviews: Linguistic, Cultural and Social Interaction; and Irina Nickolaevna Rozina & Victoria I. Tuzlukova, Social and Cultural Contexts of Internet-Based Research Communities.

Interval-level measurement with visual analogue scales in Internet-based research: VAS Generator

The present article describes VAS Generator (www.vasgenerator.net), a free Web service for creating a wide range of visual analogue scales that can be used as measurement devices in Web surveys and Web experimentation, as well as for local computerized assessment. A step-by-step example for creating and implementing a visual analogue scale with visual feedback is given. VAS Generator and the scales it generates work independently of platforms and use the underlying languages HTML and JavaScript. Results from a validation study with 355 participants are reported and show that the scales generated with VAS Generator approximate an interval-scale level. In light of previous research on visual analogue versus categorical (e.g., radio button) scales in Internet-based research, we conclude that categorical scales only reach ordinal-scale level, and thus visual analogue scales are to be preferred whenever possible.

Aloes of the World: African Plants Initiative. An international webbased collaboration to promote scholarly research on Aloe L.

In November 2007, a group of about 40 international experts on the genus Aloe L. met in South Africa for a workshop to seek consensus on achievable, key objectives for the Aloes of the World Project (AWP). This was the first event of its kind where Aloe alone was approached on this scale. The Aloes of the World Project aims ultimately to compile as much information as is possible to facilitate internet-based scholarly research on the genus. The process and subsequent outcomes of the Pretoria workshop are discussed. Delegates acknowledged that an interim compromise may be achieved initially, where a minimum of essential elements are hosted on the Aluka (African Plants Initiative) website, with later upgrading of the information base in line with ongoing development of Aluka.

A Comparison of Internet and Face-to-Face (FTF) Qualitative Methods in Studying the Relationships of Gay Men

ABSTRACT Although the Internet increasingly is part of our daily interactions, it remains largely unexplored as a qualitative research medium. Because most research on the relationships of gay men uses homogeneous samples, which are often difficult to locate, the Internet provides a methodological opportunity to obtain a more diverse set of perspectives of the lived experiences of participants. Our primary interests here are to discuss the processes and ethics of using Internet focus groups and in-depth interviews compared to traditional face-to-face (FTF) methods and to discuss the trustworthiness and quality of data garnered from the use of Internet methods. Using previous literature and our own experiences conducting Internet-based and FTF qualitative research that explored the relationships of gay men as well as data from this study, we suggest that using the Internet as a qualitative research medium can enhance sample recruitment and result in data that is trustworthy. Additionally, we offer suggestions for online moderating.

HIV Risk and the Internet: Results of the Men’s INTernet Sex (MINTS) Study

This study assessed the feasibility of online recruitment of high-risk Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) for HIV prevention survey research and investigated the relationship between Internet use and unsafe sex. Participants (N = 1,026) were Internet-using Latino MSM living in the U.S. recruited using online banner advertisements. Respondents completed a cross-sectional, online survey in English or Spanish. Sample characteristics reflected national statistics within 5%. Nearly all (99%) reported having used the Internet to seek sex with another man. Two-thirds of respondents reported having unprotected anal sex with > or =1 man in the last year, 57% of these with multiple partners. Participants reported engaging in anal sex and unprotected anal sex with nearly twice as many men first met online versus offline, but risk proportions did not differ. Internet-based HIV prevention research is possible even with geographically-dispersed minority populations. Efficiency appears the primary risk associated with meeting partners online.

QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWING IN INTERNET STUDIES: Playing with the media, playing with the method

This methodological paper addresses practical strategies, implications, benefits and drawbacks of collecting qualitative semi-structured interview data about Internet-based research topics using four different interaction systems: face to face; telephone; email; and instant messaging. The discussion presented here is based on a review of the literature and reflection on the experiences of the authors in performing completed research that used those four interaction systems. The focus is on functional effects (e.g. scheduling and other logistics, data transcription and data management), as well as methodological effects (e.g. ability to probe, collecting affective data, and data representation). The authors found that all four methods of data collection produced viable data for the projects they completed, but that some additional issues arose. Five themes emerged that form the organization of the paper: (1) interview scheduling and participant retention; (2) recording and transcribing; (3) data cleaning and organizing; (4) presentation and representation of data; and (5) the detection/presentation of affective data.

ChewFree.com: Evaluation of a Web-based cessation program for smokeless tobacco users

The sizeable percentage of adults who use smokeless tobacco (ST) represents an important public health target since the majority of ST users have a strong desire to quit, but many lack resources. We tested the impact of an interactive, tailored Web-based intervention (Enhanced Condition) versus a more linear, text-based website (Basic Condition) in a randomized trial with 2523 adult ST users. As is common in Internet-based research, there was considerable attrition: follow-up rates at 3 months, 6 months, and for both 3 and 6 months were 48%, 45% and 34%, respectively. Results using repeated point prevalence of all tobacco use at 3 and 6 months showed that participants in the Enhanced Condition quit at significantly higher rates than those in the Basic Condition. Using a Complete Case analysis, abstinence was 40.6% in the Enhanced Condition vs. 21.2% in the Basic Condition (p< .001). Using intent-to-treat analysis, quit rates were 12.6% vs. 7.9%, respectively (p< .001). Similar results were obtained for only ST use. Unobtrusive measures of program exposure indicated that program use was significantly related to outcome as well as to attrition. We conclude that a tailored, interactive Web-assisted cessation program can be an efficacious method for assisting adult ST users to quit.

Identifying Multiple Submissions in Internet Research: Preserving Data Integrity

Internet-based sexuality research with hidden populations has become increasingly popular. Respondent anonymity may encourage participation and lower social desirability, but associated disinhibition may promote multiple submissions, especially when incentives are offered. The goal of this study was to identify the usefulness of different variables for detecting multiple submissions from repeat responders and to explore incentive effects. The data included 1,900 submissions from a three-session Internet intervention with a pretest and three post-test questionnaires. Participants were men who have sex with men and incentives were offered to rural participants for completing each questionnaire. The final number of submissions included 1,273 "unique", 132 first submissions by "repeat responders" and 495 additional submissions by the "repeat responders" (N = 1,900). Four categories of repeat responders were identified: "infrequent" (2-5 submissions), "persistent" (6-10 submissions), "very persistent" (11-30 submissions), and "hackers" (more than 30 submissions). Internet Provider (IP) addresses, user names, and passwords were the most useful for identifying "infrequent" repeat responders. "Hackers" often varied their IP address and identifying information to prevent easy identification, but investigating the data for small variations in IP, using reverse telephone look up, and patterns across usernames and passwords were helpful. Incentives appeared to play a role in stimulating multiple submissions, especially from the more sophisticated "hackers". Finally, the web is ever evolving and it will be necessary to have good programmers and staff who evolve as fast as "hackers".

Obituary: Claus-Wilhelm von der Lieth (1949–2007)

On November 16, 2007, Dr. rer. nat. Claus-Wilhelm (Willi) von der Lieth died unexpectedly, a victim of cancer, at the age of 58. He was born on June 13, 1949 in Bremervorde, Germany, studied chemistry at the Technical University of Hannover from 1969 to 1977, and received his diploma under Prof. H. Seidel with a thesis entitled Nitrates of metals with valence I and II: preparation and vibrational spectroscopy. Willi then pursued further studies in theoretical chemistry at the University of Heidelberg under Prof. H.-H. Eysel and received his doctoral degree in 1980 with a thesis on Single-crystal Raman bandshape analysis of sodium nitrite: studies of order–disorder phenomena through the interpretation of the relative intensities of the internal vibrations of the nitrite ion. In that same year Willi joined the staff of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg as a research scientist in the Central Spectroscopy service group initiated by Prof. E. Hecker and began the development of a computer-based spectroscopic information system for NMR, MS, and IR spectra. In 1984 Willi was a Guest Scientist at the University of Lund, Sweden, and worked with Prof. R. E. Carter and Dr. T. Liljefors on the structure elucidation of organic molecules by force-field calculations and the development of software for the generation and display of 3D structures. Upon his return to Heidelberg, Willi introduced the techniques of molecular modeling as a research tool and central service in the DKFZ. From 1986 to 1987, a further sabbatical in Lund was used to learn the techniques of molecular dynamics simulations of peptides and proteins and to pursue several research projects in the field of Computational Chemistry. For the last 20 years Willi headed the Molecular Modeling group within the Central Spectroscopy Dept. at the DKFZ, where he introduced a wide variety of modeling services and open-access software, conducted courses in modeling techniques, collaborated with many diverse research groups, and organized the development of sophisticated 3D structure and spectroscopy data banks as well as Internet-based educational and research applications in Glycoconj J (2008) 25:189–190 DOI 10.1007/s10719-008-9103-2

Internet-Based Political Communication Research

Political communication research is increasingly concerned with the study of political life in online environments. Some recent investigations make use of Internet-based tools for the research process: for project management, for data collection and analysis, and for the preparation and publication of findings. In these respects, political communication research reflects methodological transformations underway across the social sciences, often known as e-Science and e-Research. This article explores aspects of that transformation through examination of a range of studies concerned with political discourse, political participation, and election campaigns in which the online environment is accentuated. We reflect on four study features: project management, research designs, sampling, and data visualisation. In a series of illustrative studies, we consider challenges in undertaking political communication research in network environments utilising Internet-based tools. Finally, we introduce the contributions to this journal theme issue, placing the articles within an overall framework of concern regarding Internet-based political communication research.

HOW TO GET THE ANSWER TO NEARLY EVERYTHING: USING THE INTERNET FOR EPILEPSY RESEARCH

HOW TO GET THE ANSWER TO NEARLY EVERYTHING: USING THE INTERNET FOR EPILEPSY RESEARCH

VI. Surveying Sexualities: Internet Research with Non-heterosexuals

In this article we describe and evaluate the process of conducting online survey research about the legal recognition of same-sex relationships (key findings from which we have reported elsewhere, see Harding and Peel, 2006). Our aim in so doing is to contribute to the growing generic literature on internet-based research methods (Nosek et al., 2002; Rhodes et al., 2003; Stern, 2003; Strickland et al., 2003; Thomas et al., 2000) to the research methods literature within lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) psychologies (Fish, 2000; Morris and Rothblum, 1999; Meezan and Martin, 2003; Mustanski, 2001) and also to extend the germinal literature focusing on internet research with non-heterosexual groups (Elford et al., 2004; Ellis et al., 2003; Ross et al., 2000). We begin by discussing the process of developing the online survey tool, before outlining the experience of the survey ?going live? and providing details of who completed the survey. We conclude by exploring some of the positives and pitfalls of this type of research methodology.

The Internet in Social Marketing Research

SUMMARY Social marketing campaigns are usually aimed at problems that exact a large toll in the community. Any campaign must be properly researched during the development process and afterward, to assess its impact. The target market for social marketing campaigns often includes younger members of the community. The research methodology used when developing or assessing these campaigns must therefore be appropriate to adolescents. This article discusses the application of Internet technology to research among adolescents using experience gained while testing potential anti-smoking messages among a sample of UK school students to illustrate the issues. Internet-based research has the potential to generate data that is comparable to that generated by conventional research methods and with improved efficiency in terms of timescale, cost, quality, and quantity of responses.

The European internet-based patient and research database for primary immunodeficiencies: results 2004–06

Because primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are rare diseases, transnational studies are essential to maximize the scientific outcome and lead to improved diagnosis and therapy. Immunologists in Europe have united to determine the prevalence of PID in Europe and to establish and evaluate harmonized guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PID as well as to improve the awareness of PID in Europe. In order to achieve this aim we have developed an internet-based database for clinical and research data on patients with PID. This database forms the platform for studies of demographics, the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and the identification of novel disease-associated genes. The database is completely secure, while providing access to researchers via a standard browser using password and encrypted log-in sessions and conforms to all European and national ethics and data protection guidelines. So far 2386 patients have been documented by 35 documenting centres in 20 countries. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common entity, accounting for almost 30% of all entries. First statistical analyses on the quality of life of patients show the advantages of immunoglobulin replacement therapy, at the same time revealing a mean diagnostic delay of over 4 years. First studies on specific questions on selected PID are now under way. The platform of this database can be used for any type of medical condition.

Discussion on: “Combining Slip and Deceleration Control for Brake-by-wire Control Systems: A Sliding-mode Approach”

The chapter starts with an examination of the forces created by the tyre. The tyre plays a fundamental part in vehicle dynamics since it is from the tyres that all the forces responsible for accelerating a vehicle longitudinally, in acceleration and braking, and laterally, in cornering, are generated. In addition, the tyre produces the vertical load that supports the corner load. Thus, forces are generated in all three directions. In addition, the tyre generates moments about all three directions, and so, a tyre is a device offering a six-degree-of-freedom compliance between the road surface and the axle. Following this examination, the mechanisms of grip generation are reviewed. Considerations such as chemistry, shape, temperature and inflation pressure are all presented, and the way in which they influence grip is considered. The construction of the tyre is examined, and in particular, the way in which lateral and longitudinal forces are developed is explained in detail. Camber thrust is similarly treated. The concept of the friction circle is developed, and the way in which lateral and longitudinal forces vary through a corner is examined. Consideration of tyre modelling and tyre testing is presented. The treatment offers a very comprehensive introduction to tyres and to their modelling and operation. There are questions, learning exercises and guided internet-based research to develop knowledge further.

Emerging Tort Issues in the Collection and Dissemination of Internet-Based Research Data

IntroductionThis article examines the possible basis for legal liability of researchers who use the Internet in the collection of research data. In particular, it examines the potential legal issues associated with the protocols of ethnographers who use listserv, discussion board, blog, chat room and other sorts of web or Internet-based postings as the source of their data. The author assumes that the forum for participation is legitimate, in that the list, board, blog, chat, etc. is not created or otherwise concocted by the researcher, but involves situations akin to off-line practices where a researcher would be listening to the conversation or watching the behavior of in a public place. Since these practices do not involve direct interview or interaction with or treatment of subjects, much of the precedent involving negligence, informed consent, and related issues is not relevant; however, it is reviewed initially for guidance in suggesting the applicable, legal standards of conduct. This article does not discuss the use of the Internet as a collection device, e.g., in online surveys. Issues of legal harm arising from claims in negligence, privacy, and defamation for subsequent dissemination of such postings are evaluated. it is concluded that the likelihood for a success of such claims is small, analysis will include steps that researchers can take to ensure that such risk remains negligible.Claims Based in Tort Law: General Concepts of Harm (Negligence)Is there any legal liability for researchers who observe (parallel to ethnographers who watch or listen to participant interaction in public places without interaction with or prodding of the to act or respond)? More accurately, is there a potential for liability of researchers who read the text of comments posted by others (the subjects) in various Internet or web-based forums, then analyze that text, and publish summarizations or excerpts of that text in reports, articles, or other scholarly communications? For liability to exist, some legal injury must be perpetrated in that act. The most common cause of action for such injury would be to claim that the researcher is somehow negligent for the injury that would result from either the alone or from dissemination of that observation. Personal injury law in the United States is known as tort law; in other legal traditions the term delict is often used. Commentators have concluded that the likelihood of suit against researchers in increasing: Although the case law on human subject research is just beginning to emerge, plaintiffs should be able to successfully establish negligence claims against researchers by establishing a duty of care based on the special relationship between researchers and subjects (Jansson, 2003, 262). However, these cases involve human in clinical, medical, or related studies. Even within this genre of cases, situations where no physical harm is perpetrated, e.g., a claim based on a failure to continue inclusion in the study, much to the frustration of the (Spenceley v. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 938 F. Supp. 398, S.D. Tex. 1996), have not met with success. Moreover, recovery of injury from either intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress in those jurisdictions that recognize such claims must be linked to a physical injury or the threat of one (Morreim, 2003, 70). The question is whether any injury, other than a specific harm such as a violation of privacy or defamation (for re-publication by the researcher of a statement made by a participant), is perpetrated by merely observing or listening to another's conversation or comment when that expression is text-based and made in an open forum on the Internet, or whether any harm results from the dissemination of that conversation or comment. Since this observation does not involve an invasive act into the physical space of the participant, as opposed to a medical group that while perpetrating no harm or injury to a patient (the operation was indeed successful) substitutes another surgeon for the preferred one, a so-called ghost doctor, can be subject to a claim of battery, Perna v. …

Conducting Internet-Based HIV/STD Prevention Survey Research: Considerations in Design and Evaluation

The aim of this paper is to advance rigorous Internet-based HIV/STD Prevention quantitative research by providing guidance to fellow researchers, faculty supervising graduates, human subjects' committees, and review groups about some of the most common and challenging questions about Internet-based HIV prevention quantitative research. The authors represent several research groups who have gained experience conducting some of the first Internet-based HIV/STD prevention quantitative surveys in the US and elsewhere. Sixteen questions specific to Internet-based HIV prevention survey research are identified. To aid rigorous development and review of applications, these questions are organized around six common criteria used in federal review groups in the US: significance, innovation, approach (broken down further by research design, formative development, procedures, sampling considerations, and data collection); investigator, environment and human subjects' issues. Strategies promoting minority participant recruitment, minimizing attrition, validating participants, and compensating participants are discussed. Throughout, the implications on budget and realistic timetabling are identified.

Substance use and sexual behaviours of Japanese men who have sex with men: A nationwide internet survey conducted in Japan

BackgroundJapanese men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those living in large metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, are facing a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Although the Internet is used as a new venue for meeting sex partners, it can also serve as a useful research tool for investigating the risk behaviours of Japanese MSM. This Internet survey explored the extent of substance use and its association with sexual risk behaviours among Japanese MSM.MethodsBetween 28 February 2003 and 16 May 2003 MSM were recruited through 57 Japanese gay-oriented Web sites, gay magazines, and Internet mailing lists. Participants completed a structured questionnaire anonymously through the Internet.ResultsIn total, 2,062 Japanese MSM completed the questionnaire. The average age of participants was 29.0 years and 70.5% identified as gay, 20.8% as bisexual, and 8.7% as other. Overall, 34.5% reported never using a substance, 45% reported ever using one type of substance (lifetime reported single substance users), and 19.6% had used more than 1 type of substance (lifetime reported multiple substance users) in their lifetimes. The substances most commonly used were amyl nitrite (63.2%), 5-methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine (5MEO-DIPT) (9.3%), and marijuana (5.7%). In the multivariate analysis, unprotected anal intercourse, having had 6 or more sexual partners, visiting a sex club/gay venue in the previous 6 months, a lower education level, and being 30 to 39 years of age were associated with both lifetime single and lifetime multiple substance use. Lifetime reported multiple substance use was also correlated with having a casual sex partner, having symptoms of depression, being diagnosed as HIV-positive, and greater HIV/AIDS-related knowledge.ConclusionThis is the first Internet-based research focused on the sexual and substance use behaviours of MSM in Asia. Our findings suggest a compelling need for prevention interventions to reduce HIV risk-related substance use behaviours among Japanese MSM. The results also suggest that the Internet is potentially a useful tool for collecting behavioural data and promoting prevention interventions among this population.

Women's perception of male erectile dysfunction drugs in the general population

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate trends in women's perception of male erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs in the general population. Methods We designed an online questionnaire survey and randomly invited an initial total of 2370 women to respond to it from a database population that included 450,000 men and women recruited through an Internet-based market research company. The 17 items of the questionnaire comprised 9 items related to socio-cultural background and 8 items related to the perception of ED drugs, ED itself, and sexual relations. Results A total of 1262 women (53.2% of those initially invited), ranging in age from 20 to 77 years, participated. Among the participants, 83.3% were aware of the existence of ED drugs, but only 12.0% showed some interest in them, 46.4% and 43.2% of the participants claimed to have an unfavorable image of ED drugs, and of men using ED drugs, respectively. Among the participants, 45.2% stated that if their partners suffered from ED at present or in the future, they would not desire their partners to use ED drugs, and 25.5% stated that they would not accept it. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher age had a negative impact on knowledge, interest and image of ED drugs, the image of men using ED drugs, and the importance of sexual relations. Conclusions Our findings reveal that a high proportion of women have a negative perception of ED drugs and associated issues in Japan.