A SURVEY OF 750 UNIVERSITY HUMAN
Research Ethics Boards (HRECs) in the United States
revealed that Internet research protocols involving
online or Web surveys are the type most often reviewed
(94% of respondents), indicating the growing prevalence
of this methodology for academic research. Respondents
indicated that the electronic and online nature of these
survey data challenges traditional research ethics principles such as consent, risk, privacy, anonymity, confidentiality, and autonomy, and adds new methodological
complexities surrounding data storage, security, sampling, and survey design. Interesting discrepancies surfaced among respondents regarding strengths and
weaknesses within extant guidelines, which are highlighted throughout the paper. The paper concludes with
considerations and suggestions towards consistent protocol review of online surveys to ensure appropriate
human subjects protections in the face of emergent electronic tools and methodologies.