Online research methods among family scientists: The diffusion of an innovation

This study examined the perceptions of family researchers regarding internet research methods as an appropriate alternative or additional method to traditional research. A survey design was used and data was collected using an online questionnaire. The sample was chosen using the National Conference of Family Relations (NCFR) published record that maintains the Graduate and Undergraduate Student Handbook (2006 edition). From the 596 who completed the survey, a sub-sample of 374 family researchers was used based on their self report of having completed family research within the past 10 years.;The study had four main research questions: Who is using the internet in family research and how are they using it? What are the differences between family researchers using internet methods and family researchers using only traditional methods? Where are family researchers in their process of adopting online research methods (ORM)? How do family researchers perceive ORM, available resources, and their own levels of computer/web efficacy?;Roger's Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory provided the theoretical framework for developing questions, analyses, and most importantly, for understanding of family researchers' subjective perspective of online research methods. Rogers' draws from multiple fields to present a theoretical framework that encompass the diffusion of all innovations. Diffusion is "the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system" (Rogers, 1995). The four main elements (innovation, communicated through certain channels, time, and social system) were used in designing the survey for this study.;Online research methods were regarded in this study as a new idea or an "innovation" on traditional research methods. Individual perceptions of an innovation's characteristics are thought to assist in understanding individual rates of adoption. Rogers' (1995) five general perceived characteristics of innovations as they relate to online methods are as follows: (1) relative advantage (degree to which online research methods are perceived as better than traditional methods), (2) compatibility (degree to which online research methods are perceived as being consistent with existing values, needs, and past experiences), (3) complexity (degree to which online research methods are perceived as difficult to understand and use), (4) trialability (degree to which online research methods may be experimented with on a limited basis), and (5) observability (degree to which the results of online research methods are visible to others).;Results indicated that ORMs are extensively practiced and accepted within the family research field. Eighty-six percent had either used ORM or planned to in the future, and felt confident they could talk about results of a study using ORM. The 14% who indicated no interest in online methods differed from the rest of the group in four main perceptions: (1) they did not have prior experience that helped them translate their understanding into online research methods, (2) they had not had the opportunity to experiment with online research methods, (3) they had a lower sense of self-efficacy with their web use, and (4) they were less enthusiastic about trying an online method with their own research.;Users and non-users were found to be alike in their perceptions about the characteristics of online research methods; out of 14 comparisons, they were only different on five perceptions: (1) current work practice, (2) ease of use, (3) voluntariness, (4) communicability, and (5) perceived resources. The fact that adoption of online research methods is farther along than anticipated for this sample might explain why fewer differences were found between user and non-user perceptions.;Given higher interest and acceptance than expected, future scholarly work will determine how to expand the use of ORM beyond surveys and what adaptations or innovations researchers will make to ORM to best suit their needs. Roger's Diffusion of Innovations theory was useful for interpreting the findings and shows promise as a framework for future research in this area.