Internet-mediated research

Internet-mediated research (IMR) is the research conducted through the medium of the Internet.^[1] In the medical field, it pertains to the practice of gathering medical, biomedical or health related research data via the internet directly from research subjects. The subject, uses a web browser to view and respond to questionnaires that are included in an approved medical research protocol. Other fields such as geography also use IMR as a research tool.^[1]

The primary Internet-mediated research is classified into three main types: online questionnaires, virtual interviews, and virtual ethnographies.^[1] There is also the case of secondary Internet research, which involves the use of the Internet in the ___location of secondary information sources such as journal databases, newspapers, and digital archives, among others.^[2] Some sources, however, exclude this type in their conceptualization of IMR.^[3]

In a traditional medical research study, the principal investigator, Research Coordinator, or other study staff conducts an interview with the research subject and records the information on a paper or electronic case report form. Using IMR, the research subject instead responds to a questionnaire without the guidance of a research staff member, often performing the action at a time and place disassociated with the research clinic, using only a computer connected to the internet and a standard browser.

Recently, the medical community has begun to study whether there are differences between IMR data and traditionally collected data.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Clifford, Nicholas; French, Shaun; Valentine, Gill (2010). Key Methods in Geography. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. p. 173. ISBN 9781412935081.
^ Hesse-Biber, Sharlene; Leavy, Patricia (2008). Handbook of Emergent Methods. New York: Guilford Press. p. 543. ISBN 9781593851477.
^ Cantoni, Lorenzo; Danowski, James (2015). Communication and Technology. Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter GmbH. p. 277. ISBN 9783110266535.
^ Whitehead LC (2007). "Methodological and ethical issues in Internet-mediated research in the field of health: an integrated review of the literature". Soc Sci Med. 65 (4): 782–91. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.03.005. PMID 17512105.

External links

[:0-1] Clifford, Nicholas; French, Shaun; Valentine, Gill (2010). Key Methods in Geography. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE. p. 173. ISBN 9781412935081.

[2] Hesse-Biber, Sharlene; Leavy, Patricia (2008). Handbook of Emergent Methods. New York: Guilford Press. p. 543. ISBN 9781593851477.

[3] Cantoni, Lorenzo; Danowski, James (2015). Communication and Technology. Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter GmbH. p. 277. ISBN 9783110266535.

[4] Whitehead LC (2007). "Methodological and ethical issues in Internet-mediated research in the field of health: an integrated review of the literature". Soc Sci Med. 65 (4): 782–91. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.03.005. PMID 17512105.

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