Monica J Barratt1, Gary R Potter2, Marije Wouters3, Chris Wilkins4, Bernd Werse5, Jussi Perälä6, Michael Mulbjerg Pedersen7, Holly Nguyen8, Aili Malm9, Simon Lenton10, Dirk Korf3, Axel Klein11, Julie Heyde12, Pekka Hakkarainen6, Vibeke Asmussen Frank7, Tom Decorte12, Martin Bouchard13, Thomas Blok3. 1. Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Electronic address: m.barratt@unsw.edu.au. 2. Department of Social Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, UK. 3. Bonger Institute of Criminology, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 1030, 1012 CP, The Netherlands. 4. SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, PO Box 6137, Wellesley Street, Auckland, New Zealand. 5. Centre for Drug Research, Goethe-Universität, Grüneburgplatz 1, D-60318 Frankfurt, Germany. 6. National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 30, FI-00271 Helsinki, Finland. 7. Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 10, 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. 8. Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, 1101 Main Administration Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA. 9. School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA. 10. National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. 11. Royal United Services Institute, 61 Whitehall, London SW1A 2ET, UK. 12. Institute for Social Drug Research (ISD), Ghent University, Universiteitstraat 4, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. 13. School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Internet-mediated research methods are increasingly used to access hidden populations. The International Cannabis Cultivation Questionnaire (ICCQ) is an online survey designed to facilitate international comparisons into the relatively under-researched but increasingly significant phenomenon of domestic cannabis cultivation. The Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium has used the ICCQ to survey over 6000 cannabis cultivators across 11 countries. In this paper, we describe and reflect upon our methodological approach, focusing on the digital and traditional recruitment methods used to access this hidden population and the challenges of working across multiple countries, cultures and languages. METHODS: Descriptive statistics showing eligibility and completion rates and recruitment source by country of residence. RESULTS: Over three quarters of eligible respondents who were presented with the survey were included in the final sample of n=6528. English-speaking countries expended more effort to recruit participants than non-English-speaking countries. The most effective recruitment modes were cannabis websites/groups (33%), Facebook (14%) and news articles (11%). While respondents recruited through news articles were older, growing practice variables were strikingly similar between these main recruitment modes. CONCLUSION: Through this process, we learnt that there are trade-offs between hosting multiple surveys in each country vs. using one integrated database. We also found that although perceived anonymity is routinely assumed to be a benefit of using digital research methodologies, there are significant limits to research participant anonymity in the current era of mass digital surveillance, especially when the target group is particularly concerned about evading law enforcement. Finally, we list a number of specific recommendations for future researchers utilising Internet-mediated approaches to researching hidden populations.
BACKGROUND: Internet-mediated research methods are increasingly used to access hidden populations. The International Cannabis Cultivation Questionnaire (ICCQ) is an online survey designed to facilitate international comparisons into the relatively under-researched but increasingly significant phenomenon of domestic cannabis cultivation. The Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium has used the ICCQ to survey over 6000 cannabis cultivators across 11 countries. In this paper, we describe and reflect upon our methodological approach, focusing on the digital and traditional recruitment methods used to access this hidden population and the challenges of working across multiple countries, cultures and languages. METHODS: Descriptive statistics showing eligibility and completion rates and recruitment source by country of residence. RESULTS: Over three quarters of eligible respondents who were presented with the survey were included in the final sample of n=6528. English-speaking countries expended more effort to recruit participants than non-English-speaking countries. The most effective recruitment modes were cannabis websites/groups (33%), Facebook (14%) and news articles (11%). While respondents recruited through news articles were older, growing practice variables were strikingly similar between these main recruitment modes. CONCLUSION: Through this process, we learnt that there are trade-offs between hosting multiple surveys in each country vs. using one integrated database. We also found that although perceived anonymity is routinely assumed to be a benefit of using digital research methodologies, there are significant limits to research participant anonymity in the current era of mass digital surveillance, especially when the target group is particularly concerned about evading law enforcement. Finally, we list a number of specific recommendations for future researchers utilising Internet-mediated approaches to researching hidden populations.
Authors: Elizabeth M Goldberg; Rochelle K Rosen; Don S Dizon; Kirsten J Langdon; Natalie M Davoodi; Tyler B Wray; Nicole R Nugent; Shira I Dunsiger; Megan L Ranney Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2022-06-13 Impact factor: 7.076
Authors: Zurina Hassan; Oliver G Bosch; Darshan Singh; Suresh Narayanan; B Vicknasingam Kasinather; Erich Seifritz; Johannes Kornhuber; Boris B Quednow; Christian P Müller Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2017-08-18 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Louise Thornton; Philip J Batterham; Daniel B Fassnacht; Frances Kay-Lambkin; Alison L Calear; Sally Hunt Journal: Internet Interv Date: 2016-04-27