Using the Internet for data collection in nursing research.

This article examines how the internet may be used as a tool for data collection in nursing research. An overview of the demographic composition of the Internet population is outlined and discussed as a constraint on the type of research that can be undertaken using the Internet. Methods of data collection such as e-mail and WWW questionnaires are discussed as well as the possibility of virtual focus groups. Some of the difficulties and advantages that may confront the researcher wishing to undertake research using the Internet are outlined.