Internet-Based Research
Study
Which of the following on-line research strategies raises the most concerns regarding the ethical
principle of respecting the autonomy of research subjects and the corresponding federal regulations
requiring informed consent?
A researcher proposes to join a moderated support group for cancer survivors posing as a survivor. She
plans to insert comments to see how the members respond.
The Internet can be used as a research tool or as the object of a study. Which of the following
examples best describes an investigator using the Internet as a research tool?
An investigator uses his Facebook wall to post a URL link to a survey he is hosting on SurveyMonkey.
Which of the following examples of using the Internet to conduct research meets the federal
definition of research with human subjects?
Conducting an on-line focus group with cancer survivors to determine familial support systems. The
researcher also invites subjects' significant others to be a part of the focus group.
Researchers endeavoring to conduct an on-line study should consider that there are some potential
risks of harm to subjects unique to Internet-based research. One of these risks is:
Individuals may post private identifiable information about themselves on-line without intending it to be
public and available to researchers.
Consent to participate in research is an ongoing process. Which of the following strategies would help
ensure that participation in a survey about a sensitive personal topic remains voluntary throughout a
study?
Designing the survey so that subjects are not forced to answer one question before going to the next.
Study
Which of the following on-line research strategies raises the most concerns regarding the ethical
principle of respecting the autonomy of research subjects and the corresponding federal regulations
requiring informed consent?
A researcher proposes to join a moderated support group for cancer survivors posing as a survivor. She
plans to insert comments to see how the members respond.
The Internet can be used as a research tool or as the object of a study. Which of the following
examples best describes an investigator using the Internet as a research tool?
An investigator uses his Facebook wall to post a URL link to a survey he is hosting on SurveyMonkey.
Which of the following examples of using the Internet to conduct research meets the federal
definition of research with human subjects?
Conducting an on-line focus group with cancer survivors to determine familial support systems. The
researcher also invites subjects' significant others to be a part of the focus group.
Researchers endeavoring to conduct an on-line study should consider that there are some potential
risks of harm to subjects unique to Internet-based research. One of these risks is:
Individuals may post private identifiable information about themselves on-line without intending it to be
public and available to researchers.
Consent to participate in research is an ongoing process. Which of the following strategies would help
ensure that participation in a survey about a sensitive personal topic remains voluntary throughout a
study?
Designing the survey so that subjects are not forced to answer one question before going to the next.
