Conducting Research on the Internet: Guidelines for Ethical Practice in Psychological Research Online

The British Psychological Society’s Guidelines for Ethical Practice in Psychological Research Online serves as a complement to existing ethical principles in the realm of Internet Mediated Research (IMR). This guideline was created in order to help researchers grapple with two key dimensions inherent to IMR, level of identifiability and level of observation, or the varying degrees to which participants in research decide to be identified and whether they are aware of their status as subjects of the study. The guidelines then break down the specific categories that apply to each domain, and offer respective suggestions.

Undoubtedly, incredible advances in technology have simultaneously opened the way for great strides in psychological research. The nature of the studies that have been created in response to these opportunities are dynamic and widely ranging, which makes the existence of this guideline all the more convenient for PVE researchers.