Role of Internet Research

Research using the internet has developed vastly ever since the internet became public in 1990s. The internet is all about connecting computer and creating. Today this network stands at a global phase.

Internet research can mean two things:

- The internet can be used as a digital library.

- The internet can be used as the primary data collecting tool.

Internet research offers two things- connectivity and cost-efficiency. In present times, the internet is connected to a maximum number of households. However a concern is the reliability of the data collect, since there is no way to certain of the truth.

Internet Data Collection can be done using a variety of ways:

- Email: Respondents get an email which includes a questionnaire or a website link which directs them to one. Email address can got from internet companies.

- Database Email- Respondents voluntary have their name included on a company’s data base, receive an email inviting them to fill a questionnaire.

- Pop-ups- An invitation to visit a website to fill a questionnaire.

- Randomly selected pop-ups- Respondents are randomly selected, normally the nth visitor of a website.

- Prerecruited – Here respondent is first contacted by email or telephone, inviting to a research study. If respondents agrees, a website address is give to go to.

- Instant Messaging- Respondents participate in focus groups and other discussion by logging on to an instant messaging services.

- Stationary Display- Some company websites have a permanent display, usually a small display box, that invites people to participate in a research project.

Advantages of Internet Research:

- They are easy to conduct, due to the speed and reach of the internet.

- Cost of data collection is greatly reduced.

- There is no limit to the types of questions that can be asked.

- Questionnaires can be interactive.

- There is access to all types of people, from various different fields.

Disadvantages of Internet Research:

- There is a question of the reliability of data collected.

- Many respondents are concerned with security and refuse to participate.

- The researcher has no control over the research situations

- There is no research data about the appropriate length of internet survey.