Abstract:

With the rapid growth of the Internet, using the Internet to conduct psychological research is receiving increasing attention and acceptance. Internet-based research, which appeared in early 1990s, includes four basic paradigms: non-reactive data collection, Internet-based surveys, Internet-based tests and Internet-based experiments. Compared with the traditional lab research, Internet-based approach has advantages in collecting large and heterogeneous samples. However, there are also some drawbacks such as a lack of control, self-selection and drop-out that need special attention and solutions. Nevertheless, Internet-based approach is useful and promising, particularly in China.

Key words: Internet, Psychological Research, Internet-based survey, methodology, China