Online Knowledge Acquisition: The Advantages and Challenges of Internet-Based Surveys

Collecting and transforming survey data using the internet-based interface/applications has become increasingly widespread among researchers. Despite the efficient and broad characteristics of internet technology, there are still many issues to be considered in terms of sampling, the information capability of researchers and the targeted sample (s), and the tension between privacy protections vs. trueness of feedback, among others. The present article intends to review the potential advantages and challenges of internet-based survey methods from a knowledge community perspective, where the internet technologies, researchers and samples are seen as interactive within a virtual space. Overall, only when critical factors relating to each of the three parties fit together can the efficiency and effectiveness of research be achieved without biases or flaws in validity. Practical implications for researchers are also discussed.