Kontakt 2009, 11(2):401-405 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2009.062

The use of internet for accumulation of sociological research data from specific target groups (minorities, subcultures)Health and Social Sciences

Veronika Kubelová, Alena Kajanová

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra sociální práce a sociální politiky

The article deals with a description of particular possibilities of using internet for the sociological research and specifically for the research of certain minorities and subcultures, which are difficult to study due to their closed nature and which mainly call for a specific attitude due to enhanced requirements for saving anonymous nature of the research. The article describes particular tools applicable within the framework of the research through the mediation of internet: web interface, discussion fora, distribution of questionnaires by electronic mail and secondary analysis of data from web sites or discussion fora. The first two methods mentioned are documented by the authors by way of a particular example - the homosexual minority and freetekno subculture, where, due to considerably closed nature of the two target groups, the use of internet for the research was shown to be the most suitable form of the solution.
The authors summarize advantages of the internet research, primarily enhancement of the attainability to respondents and increase in the validity of results thanks to so called self-selection of respondents (completed only by these respondents who intend to do so). The internet research furthermore reflects the time flexibility and anonymity of the respondent, which can increase his/her willingness to participate, offers improved possibilities of the feedback, and last but not least, simplifies the evaluation of the data accumulated, and minimization of costs (time and material).
The authors do not omit even negative factors of the internet examination - the anonymity reducing the reliability and control of the respondent, low degree of representation (due to incomplete coverage of all the age groups and social circles) or implausibility of results obtained with the help of the secondary analysis of internet data.
The use of internet as an environment of the sociological research as well as offer of companies specialized in this field is ever being extended. However, there is a question, whether or not this trend will affect the willingness of respondents to cooperate in the research.

Keywords: internet; research; web interface; discussion groups; minority; subculture

Received: August 17, 2009; Accepted: November 9, 2009; Published: December 18, 2009  Show citation