Using the Internet to Prescreen Participants for Research on Interpersonal Violence: Experimental Design Considerations

• NCJ Number: 237822
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: 2011 Pages: 319-328
• Author(s): Tara L. Cornelius, Ph.D.; Natalie Truba, M.A.; Kathryn M. Bell, Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the potential for using Internet-based prescreening devices to identify potential participants for studies investigating the problem of interpersonal violence.

Abstract

Internet-based testing has become increasingly popular in recent years due largely to the availability of computers and the Web to research participants. For researchers studying interpersonal violence, Internet-based methodologies can also be used as a prescreening device to identify a population of interest, such as individuals reporting violence in their relationships. However, several challenges exist with this approach. This article evaluates the use of an Internet-based prescreening device to identify potential participants for a study on interpersonal violence, highlighting challenges encountered with this methodology, and offers suggestions for improvement in experimental design when conducting Internet-based screenings of interpersonal violence. (Published Abstract)