About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about internet-based research, focusing in particular on: (i) exploring the opportunities facilitated by the accessibility of the internet, including research on a large scale, research involving less accessible participants, and research conducted with greater speed and at a lower cost; (ii) the three types of internet research being participant active, participant passive, and observation; (iii) what each mean to undertake, the forms they can take, and the potential ethical issues that come along with them.

About the lecturer

John Oates is emeritus professor of developmental psychology at the Open University. His special field of research is child development, specifically perinatal mental health and early child development. Professor Oates is the lead for the British Psychological Society code of human research ethics and has a position in Brussels working for the European Research Council reviewing research bids. Some of Professor Oates’ recent publications include ‘Social constructions of mental health among Romani in Ukraine’ (2021) and ‘Mothers’ perceptions of their infants’ (2019).