Internet Method in Bereavement Research: Comparison of Online and Offline Surveys

Abstract

This study examines the reliability and validity of Internet research in bereavement. Recent literature demonstrates an increased interest in utilizing a more convenient, inexpensive, and rapid Internet method to collect data and recruit bereaved participants. For researchers, the Internet offers the possibility to learn more about grief from the growing online community of bereaved people. To explore the possible use of Internet tools in bereavement research, this study compares online survey method with traditional paper-and-pencil method in grief assessment. One group of bereaved adults (N = 84) was recruited and completed the survey by mail, and another group of bereaved adults (N = 262) was recruited and completed the same set of questions via Internet. The collected data were analyzed to identify both similarities and differences between the two samples' responses and the psychometric characteristics of the Core Bereavement Items inventory (CBI; Burnett, Middleton, Raphael, & Martinek, 1997). Significant differences were found between the two samples in relation to time since loss, cause of death, and relationship to deceased, demonstrating a greater variability in the Internet sample. Other demographic characteristics, as well as the grief and meaning making scores, did not differ significantly. In addition, no relevant differences were found in the psychometric properties of the CBI. These findings suggest that the Internet-based methods can be a suitable and valid alternative to more traditional paper-and-pencil methods.

Finding Meaning in Loss: The Mediating Role of Social Support Between Personality and Two Construals of Meaning

“…In addition, we recruited our participants from grief support groups and websites related to grief and loss; being a member of grief support group may have impacted the perceived social support of the participants as well as their processes of meaning-making. Further, as previously mentioned, internet samples may have different characteristics than traditional samples (see Tolstikova & Chartier, 2010) and thus, the results of this study may not be generalized to all bereaved people.…”

“…Like all other data collection methods, internet-based data collection has strengths and limitations (see Kraut et al, 2004, for a discussion). For example, Tolstikova and Chartier (2010) reported that there is more variation in internet samples in terms of time since loss, cause of death, and relationship to deceased as compared to traditional samples. Despite their limitations, it has been reported in the literature that internet-based studies are valid (Kraut et al, 2004) and that the internet-based data are reliable and psychometrically equivalent to other forms of data collection (e.g., Meyerson & Tryon, 2003).…”

Guilt in bereavement: Its relationship with complicated grief and depression

“…So far, there is lack of a sound body of evidence to establish whether there is any difference between bereaved persons who use memorial websites and those who do not. There is some indication that differences may not be substantial: One study compared an online survey with a traditional paper and pencil method, finding no difference in the degree of grief or according to most demographic variables, except that the online survey recruited more a demographically diverse sample (Tolstikova, –2010). Our sample also reflected substantial diversity of participants' background; we have no reason to assume that there was any systematic bias in recruitment.…”

Carers’ Motivations for, and Experiences of, Participating in Suicide Research

“…Nevertheless, in a study comparing online and offline survey research in general bereavement, the authors found online research to be valid and reliable [13]. The authors cite a number of benefits of online survey research, including convenience, reduced costs, increased access to a larger population, and increased access to a diverse range of people experiencing bereavement [13]. Online survey research also offers anonymity [13], which may encourage participation from stigmatised groups, including people exposed to suicide attempts and deaths.…”

“…Online surveys are likely to attract people who have an interest in this topic, yet present new challenges beyond those often reported in relation to other suicide research methodologies, which have resulted in delays to research projects or major changes to methodology to obtain ethical approval [11,12]. Nevertheless, in a study comparing online and offline survey research in general bereavement, the authors found online research to be valid and reliable [13]. The authors cite a number of benefits of online survey research, including convenience, reduced costs, increased access to a larger population, and increased access to a diverse range of people experiencing bereavement [13].…”