Jackson, Annmaree (2016) Internet research and the implications for ethical psychological research practice: A mixed-methods analysis. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The Internet has extended the opportunity for psychology researchers to investigate human actions and interactions. This study aims to critically examine the various ways in which ethical considerations associated with Internet Research (IR) are constructed as a social reality by Australian Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and the consequent implications of these for psychological research practice. This project builds on research undertaken in the United States of America by Buchannan and Ess (2009), which examined the current practices and issues associated with IR ethics by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). An explanatory two-phase sequential mixed methods design was conducted to explore the processes currently in place within Australia (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2003). Quantitative data was collected and analysed in Phase 1 via an online survey of members of HRECs. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with Chairpersons of HRECs in Phase 2 and analysed to further explain and clarify findings from the first data collection phase. Results of current processes and practices of HRECs obtained in Phase 1 were found to be similar to those reported by USA IRBs and suggested that ethical review boards may be ill-equipped and not adequately trained to navigate the review of IR protocols. However, the addition of the HREC Chairpersons’ perspectives provided in Phase 2 offer additional detail which suggested that reviewing IR protocols is more complex than previously understood. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified that the ethical review of IR protocols is undertaken via current principle-based processes as these protocols are not viewed as being different to other research fields, methods or tools. Additionally, ethical responsibility in this space is shared among the HREC, researchers, and the participants themselves. Despite using the principle-based processes, ethical challenges to conducting IR are present for both HRECs and researchers.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Charlotte Brownlow; Tanya Machin |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Aug 2025 03:55 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Aug 2025 03:55 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Internet research ; human research ethics ; online research ; internet research ethics ; research ethics ; human subjects ; human participants ; mixed methods |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52439 |
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