Conducting research online: Challenges facing researchers in family and consumer sciences

A substantial number of consumers now have access to e-mail and the Internet. The growth in e-mail and Internet usage makes electronic surveying an appealing means for conducting research. Researchers and practitioners in the field of family and consumer sciences are increasingly using online surveys to collect data from a variety of target populations. The purpose of this article is to provide a guide to those interested in conducting surveys online and to highlight some of the potentials and pitfalls they can expect.