Dear Isabel Woodford,

In my opinion in order to set up a website for research purposes, it is necessary to precisely specify the necessary parameters and objectives of research, research methods, etc. to answer the question to what extent a specific website will be helpful to conduct research, conduct surveys, etc. Then you will be able to design appropriate the needs of the website and / or to use available social media portals for this purpose.

Best wishes

Hi Dariusz Prokopowicz

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read my question and responding.My sample population are males who have been victim of an offence called "Sextortion". This is an offence whereby individuals threaten to distribute sexual/images or information about someone online, if they do not meet demands (this may be demands for further sexual images or for money etc). For this reason, it's sensitive nature and for the ability to reach a wider audience using social media platforms - this was decided as the most helpful place to recruit participants. The study itself is simply an online qualitative survey.

The issue I have found, is that simply sharing the research using my own personal facebook profile is both less professional and may put individuals off from answering the survey.

I'm trying to figure out how I can create adverts that will reach a wide range of people, without using my own facebook page.

I hope this makes sense?

Dear Colleague Isabel Woodford

I think I understood what you mean. To get to your goal you have to create a false account and thereafter pages and groups. The practicality begins with how to reach friends

Hi Ali Souei Thanks for the response. It wouldn't be a false account, more a page dedicated to the research. Usually such research would come from an organisations page. If I had a separate page, I could technically use Facebook's advert feature to gain a wider reach (although this would be at a personal expense)

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There are actually a few groups specific to those in doctorate programs etc. they normally help each other get the surveys etc. out on Facebook. You might try looking into joining those for help. ceeating am ad is also a viable option as long as you ensure if there are other ads on the page there is no conflict or any way it might bring ethics or bias into question.

Hi Teri Perez , firstly - thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my query. I've noticed a number of survey exchange pages, particularly aimed at students. What they tend to do (in my experience) is encourage group members to fill out surveys in exchange for the other individual to do the same for them. Due to the nature of my research, this wouldn't be possible. I guess, people on these sites could share my research but I'm unsure at present how else they may be able to assist me.

In relation to creating an ad, in your experience, what kind of conflict/bias/ethical issues do you think could arise from this?

I appreciate your suggestions.

Well dependent on the pages that may share the ad or even placement it might arise as an issue irb would want you to prove you had no control over. For example if I were doing a study on cancer survivors and then my ad or page was grouped beside or with one from billy tubs (made up name) oncology expert they might see that as an issue. As for the groups there are some like what you have described but there are others who just share and motivate candidates on their journey. However, I think placing an ad would be okay sine you are not in control or pages who may share or add places simultaneousl. I didn’t mean to scare you off just raising some issue you may come upon with irb so you could prepare. I think social networking sites are great places to places to draw samples and participants! Good luck!