Debate: The Concept of Voluntariness

Opinions of Expert Academicians on Online Data Collection and Voluntary Participation in Social Sciences Research

“…Geray (2004) stated that appropriate research methods and appropriate voluntary participation measures would increase the effectiveness of the research. It is also stated by Colburn (2008) that whether it is voluntary or not is related to the motivation of the individual, and that the choices that keep the motivation of the individual high are chosen voluntary. Preferring options that motivate people are among the basic principles of voluntariness (Colburn, 2008).…”

“…These proposals can be said to have been emphasized in relevant studies in the literature. Informing participants was emphasized by Colburn (2008), selecting data collection methods appropriate to the research purpose was emphasized by Akbulut (2015), while having flexibility that supports voluntary participation was emphasized by Olsaretti (2008) and Colburn (2008). Similarly, Payne and Barnfather (2012) emphasized that in research data collection techniques should be appropriate to the purpose and that target audiences' characteristics must be selected.…”

“…In such cases, participants are forced by an external factor. According to Colburn (2008), who is a researcher mentioned in Olsaretti's (2008) study, individuals who conduct surveys should inform participants about what they'll encounter during the research and try to persuade them. If participants receive accurate and complete information about a survey, they are likely to participate.…”

“…Table 1 shows the relevant studies reached in the literature. Field of study Olsaretti (1998) Analysis of elements neglecting voluntariness Agrawal (2003) Analysis of voluntariness from the aspects of coercion, vulnerability and exploitation Pace & Emanuel (2005) Ethics in clinical researches Olsaretti (2008) Analysis of the concept of voluntariness Colburn (2008) Making choice voluntarily Appelbaum, Lidz, & Klitzman (2009a) Developing two universal scales of voluntariness and applying them to the participants Appelbaum, Lidz, & Klitzman (2009b) Voluntariness in the process of research Payne & Barnfather (2012) Analysis of the differences between online and face-to-face survey techniques Akbulut (2015) Analysis of the inconsistent answers given in surveys conducted on online environments Olsaretti (1998) stated in one of her studies that some elements exists that ignore voluntariness, the first of which is coercion. She mentioned that individuals can choose what others want, rather than choosing what they want, when researchers or other individuals force them to make a certain choice.…”

“…Thus, if individuals are to live autonomously, they should make choices voluntarily. According to Colburn (2008), individuals must be given sufficient information about the research so they can make voluntary choices. This can increase their motivation in the research and help them act voluntarily.…”