During an on-line survey, a researcher can ask specific questions about people’s experiences, determine their preferences, and/or confirm their beliefs. These questions can be about whole groups of people or about individuals.
This is particularly useful when the researcher does not know the answers to these questions. For example, when surveying members of an online dating site, you cannot know how many members are monogamous or how much they like nonmonogamy. You could only determine what respondents who like nonmonogamy seem to think is important and enjoy doing it!
When conducting an on-line survey, there are some important things that the researcher should consider. Some of these considerations may be illegal in some states, but we will not go into that in this article.
Instead, we will discuss possible risks for researchers conducting on-line surveys and give some tips for minimizing those risks.
Ensure that participants understand the nature of participation
When offering on-line surveys, researchers should make sure that those who are interested in the survey understand what the survey is for and why they should participate.
This includes making sure that those who are already engaged in the product or service category are talking to the wrong audience and including new users who understand why they should participate. New users may be more likely toparticipate in a product or service that makes them feel good, and this can be valuable marketing exposure.
It also may include making sure that those who do not know the subject of the survey are excluded from producing a positive outcome of participation. If a product or service does not seem trustworthy, then no one will want to participate!
Making sure that participants understand their participation can reduce possible risks of harm. This includes making it clear whether a participant has to complete the survey, what questions were asked during enrollment, or whether there was an opportunity to change information before taking the survey.
Provide a description of potential risks
In order for a researcher to minimize the risks associated with their research, they must be aware of those risks. As previously mentioned, online surveys are a common method of conducting research due to this awareness.
Unfortunately, many researchers do not understand all the risks associated with their on-line surveys. Some do not recognize potential dangers such as attracting attention from non-supportive people or being linked to controversial topics, and/or people who are not currently engaged in the research.
The possibility of negative consequences can be very real for anyone undertaking research, especially for those with little or no experience in science or technology. It is important for researchers to realize this and take necessary precautions.
Continuing your engagement in a study requires you to take responsibility for your results and ensure they are applicable to your population.
Provide a description of potential benefits
In order for a researcher to minimize the risk of harm to a person in their research population, they must be clear about possible benefits.
There are several ways a researcher can be clear about potential benefits of their research items and/or methods. These include:
Include potential benefits in the product or service description; for example, the risk-benefit assessment (RBA) statement found in most wellness products listings. (This applies even if the product does not yet have a use date.)
Include potential benefits as part of early research communication (ERC) documents, such as feasibility and feasibility ratings. These can be updated as new data emerges or changes occur during research and study conduct.
Include potential benefits in scheduled meetings or phone calls; this may help lessen anxiety and/or increase confidence in researchers leading up to interviews or conduct during interviews.
Obtain consent from participants
Before conducting an on-line survey, a researcher must obtain the participant’s permission to use their information. This can be granted or refused according to the privacy policy of the website or application.
After obtaining consent, the researcher can determine if it is safe for the user to give out their information. Some ways to determine this is by checking whether the site or app has been evaluated by a regulatory body and/or consumer group, and whether people have accepted this app or website’s privacy policy.
If there are risks associated with giving out personal information, then research suggests that participants should be made aware of these prior to providing their information. This is because some participants may not be fully aware of potential risks associated with giving out personal information.
Some risks include: Being surveyed without their consent; Having surveyors who are not practicing professionals; and/or being given minimal time to respond.
Keep the identity of participants confidential
When conducting surveys, a researcher should be careful to keep the identity of the survey participant confidential. This includes not using questionnaires that require an answer to a little bit of information and/or authorization to send email or text messages, or that require users to submit data via a phone app or web app.
By requiring participation via a survey, the researcher has created a link between the user and himself or herself, possibly for marketing purposes. By asking for privacy when completing an online survey, the respondent can truthfully say that!
Users should also be cautious about providing their information when doing an online survey. Users may feel more comfortable providing some information when they are feeling relaxed or confident in their ability to complete the survey. If there is some area where someone may feel less comfortable with their answers, then those answers should be kept off of the survey so that all participants are aware of those limitations.
Do not seek personal information or data that is restricted by law or regulation
Researcher’s can minimize the risks of harm to people they study by seeking out information that is not restricted by law or regulation.
Data and information held on individuals by organizations is restricted by law or regulation. This includes data held about individuals who do not otherwise participate in the research project, such as in an on-line survey.
It is also true that data and information held by government agencies and private organizations that contain personal information may be restricted. This includes data held about individuals who do not otherwise participate in the research project, such as in an on-line survey.
Researcher’s can minimize the risks of harm to people they study if they look for information that is not restricted by law or regulation. Doing this can help them assess whether their project might be at risk for personal information taking, harm, or violation of privacy rights.
Inform participants of the possibility of discontinuing participation at any time
When conducting on-line surveys, researchers should make it clear to participants that they can stop taking the survey at any time. This includes providing the opportunity to change their email address or removing the option to leave feedback after each question is answered.
Many people feel uncomfortable witheretakingassistance from a researcher when they are not happy with the information provided. If a researcher provides feedback such as “good” or “bad”, people feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts than if they were to directly ask for feedback.
By having the opportunity to leave feedback, participants are also able to say anything they would like to say without being afraid of reprisal. By having these details made clear, people will be more likely to participate in the survey and give as good of answers as possible.
Make clear any future uses of data and anonymization procedures
When you collect data, you should make sure that the data you’re giving out is anonymized, de-identified, and/or deleted as soon as the survey is completed.
An anonymization procedure hides some or all of your personal information from other respondents when conducting a survey. By remaining anonymous while completing a survey, respondents are more likely to complete the survey and increase your chances of collecting accurate data.
If someone else uses the data they collected during their survey to target you with an ad or similar marketing material, they will not know which person answered the question correctly or what actually responded. This kind of targeting would not be accurate enough to justify spending money on it, but still should be considered potential risks.
