27 Behavioral Research and Data Collection via the Internet

In the past 15 years it has become possible to collect data from participants who are tested via the Internet rather than in the laboratory. Although this mode of research has some inherent limitations owing to lack of control and observation of conditions, it also has a number of advantages over lab research. Many of the potential advantages have been well-described in a number of publications (Birnbaum 2000a, 2001a, 2004a, 2007; Krantz and Dalal 2000; Reips 1995, 2000, 2006, 2007; Reips and Bosnjak 2001; Schmidt 1997a, 1997b). Some of the chief advantages are that (1) one can test large numbers of participants very quickly, (2) one can recruit large heterogeneous samples and people with rare characteristics, and (3) the method is more cost-effective in time, space, and labor in comparison with lab research. This chapter provides an introduction to the major features of the new approach and illustrates the most important techniques in this area of research. 27 Behavioral Research and Data Collection via the Internet