Internet-Based Research: Is it a Viable Strategy for Increasing the Representation of Ethnic Minorities in Psychological Research?
Author(s): Tamara L. Brown
Abstract: Although the United States has become increasingly diverse, most psychological research is still conducted with few or no ethnic minority participants. If psychological research is to be applicable to diverse ethnic groups and not just European Americans, it is imperative that methods for including ethnic minorities in psychological research be developed. This study is the first to investigate the comparability of data generated by two samples of African American participants — one via the Internet and one via traditional methods — as a way of investigating whether the resources of the Internet can be harnessed to increase sample diversity in psychological research. Identical data were collected from both samples and results revealed that there were no differences in the two samples in terms of the reliability of measures, the amount and pattern of missing data, or prevalence of reported substance use. That data collected via the Internet and via traditional means were identical suggests that the Internet might serve as both a primary participant pool as well as a supplement to locally recruited participants. A systematic plan for investigating the viability of the Internet as a strategy for increasing ethnic minority representation in research samples is provided.
Pages: 218-229
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