Hello Anne Macdonald

I looked to see if anyone on ResearchGate might be able to help, as no-one has responded to your question. I saw that there had been a similar question, although it does not mention PsychData. Someone who joined this discussion might be able to help?:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Does_anyone_have_recommendations_for_a_good_online_survey_tool

It might be worth contacting Prof Irvin Sam Schonfeld; from his google ResearchGate description, I saw 'Record 1989 - 26278 - I also used PsychData.net in a diary study' but I can't find it on his ResearchGate page.

This is his academic contact page:

https://www.gc.cuny.edu/Page-Elements/Academics-Research-Centers-Initiatives/Doctoral-Programs/Psychology/Faculty-Bios/Irvin-Sam-Schonfeld

Very best wishes,

Mary

Anne and Mary,

I no longer use PsychData but they are still in business. My colleague Renzo Bianchi and I use Google Sheets to set up surveys. Renzo is more skilled at using Google Sheets than I am. A student of mine named Silke Vrouletis and I have used Qualtrix for data collection. She of course is more skilled Qualtrix than I am.

Let me add that the human subjects committee (IRB) at my university is fine with our collecting data by having individuals complete surveys online. Our IRB has permitted us to say in our online invitation to participate that attempting to complete the online survey amounts to agreeing to participate (like signing a permission letter, which is what I used to do). We follow all the IRB guidelines. We ensure anonymity. We indicate that the participants, teachers in our research, can, with no penalty, stop responding at any time and for any reason. We explain the reason for the study in general terms and the risks that are involved (which are minimal). We follow our IRB's guidelines to the letter. Which is proper.

This approach to data collection is more and more common. I think the human subjects committee at your institution is already receptive to the conducting of research online provided of course that you assure the committee that you are following all their rules for protecting participants when you write your application to the committee.

Irvin

Thanks for your input - in Australia our university HRECs are also much more receptive to the use of online methodologies now. My issue is another external HREC which is a lot stricter so I want to make sure my survey design is water tight. I have access to Qualtrics and REDCap as well for free through my Uni but not sure whether I have the expertise to build a survey that meets the very strict conditions I have imposed to try to ensure a smooth passage through the external HREC. That is the main reason I was interested in PsychData.

I haven't used PsychData in years. They advertise that they live up to the highest human subjects ethical standards. I had no problems when I used their services but it was years ago. I also had no problems with Google Sheets and Qualtrics.

Interesting topic...... Thanks your views Anne Macdonald Irvin Sam Schonfeld Mary C R Wilson