Research consideration when investigating psychological factors and health-related issues in online contexts

Abstract

The last decade or so has seen a significant increase in internet usage. Nearly half of the world’s population now regularly access and communicate by computer-mediated communication channels - blogs, chat rooms, forums, MUDs (multi-user-domains), email, bulletin boards, video sites, audio sites, text chat, social networking, instant messaging and so on. One of the more popular online platforms is the online forum where people discuss topics, access and provide information, give and receive advice and talk about their experiences. Analysing discussion data provides researchers with an opportunity to understand psychological factors and health-related issues. In this chapter we discuss the theoretical, methodological and ethical considerations in undertaking this type of research; providing examples of discourse analysis in action.