The internet: a productive research environment for social scientists

Abstract

Since the first web studies in 1995, scientists have investigated the major issues regarding the new Internet-based research methods, study designs, and online data collection techniques. New software programs and manuals make it easy for newcomers to implement simple experimental procedures in cyberspace. Despite their limits, most researchers consider the advantages of Internet research as greater compared with their disadvantages. The Internet has changed the major aspects of social sciences – from how researchers communicate to how they publish their studies.