Electronic Data Collection Methods

This chapter discusses the application of new technologies to scholarly research. It highlights the process, benefits, and challenges of online data collection and analysis with three case studies: the online survey method, online focus groups, and e-mail interviews. The online survey method is described as it was undertaken to collect and collate data for the evaluation of e-business in Australia. The online focus group research is described as it was applied to complete research on e-commerce with small business. The e-mail interviews applied to collect information from a virtual community of global respondents to assess the impact of interaction between members on B2C e-commerce. The research process, its advantages and disadvantages, are elaborated for all three e-research methods