Ann Arbor, Mich. From the Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011 Jul;128(1):299-304. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182174413.
The Internet has changed the way in which we gather and interpret information. Although books were once the exclusive bearers of data, knowledge is now only a keystroke away. The Internet has also facilitated the synthesis of new knowledge. Specifically, it has become a tool through which medical research is conducted. A review of the literature reveals that in the past year, over 100 medical publications have been based on Web-based survey data alone. Because of emerging Internet technologies, Web-based surveys can now be launched with little computer knowledge. They may also be self-administered, eliminating personnel requirements. Ultimately, an investigator may build, implement, and analyze survey results with speed and efficiency, obviating the need for mass mailings and data processing. All of these qualities have rendered telephone and mail-based surveys virtually obsolete. Despite these capabilities, Web-based survey techniques are not without their limitations, namely, recall and response biases. When used properly, however, Web-based surveys can greatly simplify the research process. This article discusses the implications of Web-based surveys and provides guidelines for their effective design and distribution.
互联网改变了我们收集和解释信息的方式。虽然书籍曾经是数据的唯一承载者，但现在知识只需一键即可获得。互联网还促进了新知识的综合。具体来说，它已成为进行医学研究的工具。对文献的回顾表明，在过去的一年中，仅基于基于网络的调查数据就发表了 100 多篇医学出版物。由于新兴的互联网技术，现在只需很少的计算机知识即可启动基于网络的调查。它们也可以自行管理，从而无需人员要求。最终，调查人员可以快速有效地构建，实施和分析调查结果，从而无需大量邮寄和数据处理。所有这些特性都使电话和邮件调查几乎过时。尽管具有这些功能，但基于网络的调查技术并非没有其局限性，即回忆和响应偏差。但是，如果正确使用，基于网络的调查可以大大简化研究过程。本文讨论了基于网络的调查的影响，并提供了有关其有效设计和分发的指南。
