This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Reips, U.-D. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Internet-Based Psychological Experimenting

Five Dos and Five Don’ts

University of Zürich, ureips{at}genpsy.unizh.ch

Internet-based psychological experimenting is presented as a method that needs careful consideration of a number of issues—from potential data corruption to revealing confidential information about participants. Ten issues are grouped into five areas of actions to be taken when developing an Internet experiment (dos) and five errors to be avoided (don’ts). Dos include: (a) utilizing dropout as a dependent variable, (b) the use of dropout to detect motivational confounding, (c) placement of questions for personal information, (d) using a collection of techniques, and (e) using Internet-based tools. Don’ts are about: (a) unprotected directories, (b) public access to confidential data, (c) revealing the experiment’s structure, (d) ignoring the Internet’s technical variance, and (e) improper use of form elements.

Key Words: Internet-based research • online research techniques • configuration errors • web experiment

Social Science Computer Review, Vol. 20, No. 3, 241-249 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/089443930202000302


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Ihme, F. Lemke, K. Lieder, F. Martin, J. C. Muller, and S. Schmidt Comparison of ability tests administered online and in the laboratory Behav Res Methods, November 1, 2009; 41(4): 1183 - 1189. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Littleton and C. E. Henderson If She Is Not a Victim, Does That Mean She Was Not Traumatized?: Evaluation of Predictors of PTSD Symptomatology Among College Rape Victims Violence Against Women, February 1, 2009; 15(2): 148 - 167. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. A. BARCHARD and J. WILLIAMS Practical advice for conducting ethical online experiments and questionnaires for United States psychologists Behav Res Methods, November 1, 2008; 40(4): 1111 - 1128. [Abstract] [PDF]

				U.-D. REIPS and F. FUNKE Interval-level measurement with visual analogue scales in Internet-based research: VAS Generator Behav Res Methods, August 1, 2008; 40(3): 699 - 704. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. S. GORITZ and S. STIEGER The high-hurdle technique put to the test: Failure to find evidence that increasing loading times enhances data quality in Web-based studies Behav Res Methods, February 1, 2008; 40(1): 322 - 327. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Littleton An Evaluation of the Coping Patterns of Rape Victims: Integration With a Schema-Based Information-Processing Model Violence Against Women, August 1, 2007; 13(8): 789 - 801. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. J. Mallen, D. L. Vogel, A. B. Rochlen, and S. X Day Online Counseling: Reviewing the Literature From a Counseling Psychology Framework The Counseling Psychologist, November 1, 2005; 33(6): 819 - 871. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. C. Lyons, B. Cude, F. C. Lawrence, and M. Gutter Conducting Research Online: Challenges Facing Researchers in Family and Consumer Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, June 1, 2005; 33(4): 341 - 356. [Abstract] [PDF]