Exam (elaborations) Internet-Based Research VERIFIED

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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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: - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER Designing the survey so that subjects are not forced to answer one question before going to the next.