Distinction between online research methods
The term research comes from a Latin word meaning to know. Therefore, research is defined as the systematic study which aims at investigating, collecting, recording and the analysis of the collected data. Burns and Ronald (2011). There are different ways through which research can be done. Some of the methods include field work, distribution of questionnaires to the selected respondents and interview. Each of the mentioned research methods employs a particular technique. However, this paper aims at critically and coherently unfolding the difference between online research, web-based research and the online survey research.
Online research entails the process of investigating and accessing information through the internet. Burns and Ronald (2011). A researcher can conduct online survey by searching for relevant published materials in the internet provided the computer is internet enabled. Online research can also be done through the use of social sites that are currently available in the internet. For instance, a researcher may post a question in the social site and then seek for answers as regards to the research question.
The researcher is likely to obtain many responses from different people. Burns and Ronald (2011).The researcher then analyses the responses in order to arrive at a conclusion. Online research is different from online survey research and web-based research. Unlike online research where the researcher such for relevant information either through the available relevant published materials in the internet, online research survey always employ the use of e-mails questionnaires. In online research surveys, various questionnaires are sent to the respondent via their emails. After responding, the respondent then sends back the e-mail to the researcher after which the researcher analyses the responses.
Online survey research
This is a type of research methodology in which research is done through the internet. However, it is different from online research because here the research is conducted through the e-mail questionnaires. The questionnaire containing relevant questions is sent to the e-mail of the respondent. After the respondent has answered the relevant questions, he/she sends back the questionnaire to the researcher’s email. Hine (2005). In some instances, the e-mail survey may contain the option of printing out the survey questionnaire after which he/she responds to the questions and then send back the questionnaires via the post office. Therefore, unlike online survey research whereby the questionnaire is sent directly to the respondent, web-based survey requires the respondent to visit the site. Furthermore, web-based survey requires that the researcher post as many notices as possible in order to attract attention and solicit for support. Hine (2005).
Web-based survey.
This type of survey is defined as any survey research in which a questionnaire or response form is posted at the web-site and accessed by respondents who manages to connect to the site by use of either the link or the web-site URL. It involves self-administration of the forms created with the HTML and then posted to the website. The survey forms are typically prepared in HTML. Johns, Hen, & Hall (2004). The forms offer a number of data-entry methods such as check boxes which can be used for multiple response questions, radio buttons for variables which take a single value among others. The forms can then be returned back using the “mailto” function and enhanced with the JavaScript. Spitz and Niles (2007).
Unlike online survey research whereby the questionnaire is sent directly to the respondent, web-based survey requires the respondent to visit the site. Furthermore, web-based survey requires that the researcher post as many notices as possible in order to attract attention and solicit for support.
In conclusion, it is prudent to note that this paper have critically and comprehensively discuss the fundamental differences which exists among the above mentioned three online research methods. The paper have established a clear cut difference between online research, web-based research and online survey research.
References
Johns, M.D., Chen, S.L.S. & Hall, J.G. (Eds.) (2004). Online Social Research: Methods, Issues, and Ethics. New York: Peter Lang.
Hine, C. (2005). Virtual Methods: Issues in social research on the Internet. Oxford:
Berg.
Spitz, G.M Niles, F.L. (2007). Web-Based Survey Techniques. U.S.A: Transportation Research Board.
Burns, A. C., & Ronald, B. F.(2011).Basic Marketing Research with Excel, 3/E. U.S.A: Prentice Hall.
