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“It’s not black and white” : Public health researchers’ and ethics committees’ perceptions of engaging research participants online
Crawford, Sharinne Hokke, Stacey Nicholson, Jan M. Zion, Lawrie Lucke, Jayne Keyzer, Patrick Hackworth, Naomi
Crawford, Sharinne
Hokke, Stacey
Nicholson, Jan M.
Zion, Lawrie
Lucke, Jayne
Keyzer, Patrick
Hackworth, Naomi
Abstract
Purpose
The internet offers an opportunity for researchers to engage participants in research in a cost-effective and timely manner. Yet the use of the internet as a research tool (internet research) comes with a range of ethical concerns, and the rapidly changing online environment poses challenges for both researchers and ethics committees. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the key ethical issues of using the internet to recruit, retain and trace participants in public health research, from the perspectives of researchers and human research ethics committee (HREC) members.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with eight public health researchers and seven HREC members in Australia to explore the key ethical issues of using the internet to engage research participants.
Findings
The study identified commonalities between researchers and HREC members regarding the utility and ethical complexity of using the internet to recruit, retain and trace research participants. The need for guidance and support regarding internet research, for both groups, was highlighted, as well as the need for flexibility and responsiveness in formal ethical processes.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the understanding of how the internet is used to engage participants in public health research and the ethical context in which that occurs. Supporting the ethical conduct of internet research will benefit those involved in research, including researchers, HRECs, organisations and research participants.
Keywords
social media, ethics, recruitment, retention, internet research, participant engagement
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Internet Research
Book
Volume
29
Issue
1
Page Range
123-143
Article Number
ACU Department
Thomas More Law School
Faculty of Law and Business
Faculty of Law and Business
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled