Using online research methods to complete investigations with young children: Suggestions for music practitioners and researchers

As stakeholders turn to online methods, researchers would benefit from assistance in identifying ways to address important questions related to children’s musical lives in an altered research landscape. The purpose of this article is to describe how online methods can be used to conduct research with young children and music. A secondary purpose is to introduce and orient readers to relevant literature and resources to enable them to complete investigations. Our discussion is presented in three primary sections: online research with children and music, ethical considerations and suggestions for practice. Sections one and two provide general overviews of relevant literature and resources while establishing a foundation for our suggestions, which are also informed by our previous experiences. As researchers, we began this investigation to address a need in our own work, and we offer our preliminary findings and suggestions in this article as a resource for others.

Ethical Considerations in Online Research Methods

Online research methods are gaining popularity in several disciplines as they offer numerous opportunities that were not feasible before. However, online research methods also present many challenges and complexities that give rise to ethical dilemmas for online researchers and research participants. This chapter discusses key ethical considerations in the four stages of the research process: research design, online data collection methods, data analysis methods, and online communication of research outcomes. Issues of power, voice, identity, representation, and anonymity in online research are discussed. The relationship between information and power and its implications for equity in online research is also examined. Rather than providing prescriptive recommendations, the authors use questioning as a strategic device to foster critical awareness and ethically informed decision-making among online researchers.

Online Research Methods

With the advancement of technology and internet connectivity, the potential for alternative methods of research is vast. Whilst pen-and-paper questionnaires and laboratory studies still prevail within most scientific disciplines, many researchers are selecting more contemporary methods for undertaking research. This chapter provides an overview of a number of key online research methodologies to highlight their role in scientific investigation. In particular, it suggests how these may function to enhance our understanding of psychological issues, particularly within areas relating to cybersecurity.

Why Should We Use Online Research Methods? Four Doctoral Health Student Perspectives

The growth of the Internet has led to an increase in researchers utilizing online methods. Online communities such as forums, blogs, and video platforms are particularly useful for research involving populations that are Internet savvy, seldom heard or discussing sensitive or illicit behavior. Drawing upon the experiences of four doctoral health students who are using online methods, this article discusses the value and benefits of conducting online research as well as the limitations and difficulties encountered. Consideration is given to the methodological and ethical implications of online research. Our own research leads us to reflect on participants’ perceptions of what is public, preserving anonymity and protecting participants from harm.