TY - JOUR
T1 - Lessons from conducting trans-national Internet-mediated participatory research with hidden populations of cannabis cultivators
AU - Barratt, Monica J.
AU - Potter, Gary R.
AU - Wouters, Marije
AU - Wilkins, Chris
AU - Werse, Bernd
AU - Perälä, Jussi
AU - Pedersen, Michael Mulbjerg
AU - Nguyen, Holly
AU - Malm, Aili
AU - Lenton, Simon
AU - Korf, Dirk
AU - Klein, Axel
AU - Heyde, Julie
AU - Hakkarainen, Pekka
AU - Frank, Vibeke Asmussen
AU - Decorte, Tom
AU - Bouchard, Martin
AU - Blok, Thomas
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2015/3/1
Y1 - 2015/3/1
N2 - Internet-mediated research methods are increasingly used to access hidden populations. The International Cannabis Cultivation Questionnaire (ICCQ) is an online survey designed to facilitate international comparisons into the relatively under-researched but increasingly significant phenomenon of domestic cannabis cultivation. The Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium has used the ICCQ to survey over 6000 cannabis cultivators across 11 countries. In this paper, we describe and reflect upon our methodological approach, focusing on the digital and traditional recruitment methods used to access this hidden population and the challenges of working across multiple countries, cultures and languages. Methods: Descriptive statistics showing eligibility and completion rates and recruitment source by country of residence. Results: Over three quarters of eligible respondents who were presented with the survey were included in the final sample of n=. 6528. English-speaking countries expended more effort to recruit participants than non-English-speaking countries. The most effective recruitment modes were cannabis websites/groups (33%), Facebook (14%) and news articles (11%). While respondents recruited through news articles were older, growing practice variables were strikingly similar between these main recruitment modes. Conclusion: Through this process, we learnt that there are trade-offs between hosting multiple surveys in each country vs. using one integrated database. We also found that although perceived anonymity is routinely assumed to be a benefit of using digital research methodologies, there are significant limits to research participant anonymity in the current era of mass digital surveillance, especially when the target group is particularly concerned about evading law enforcement. Finally, we list a number of specific recommendations for future researchers utilising Internet-mediated approaches to researching hidden populations.
AB - Internet-mediated research methods are increasingly used to access hidden populations. The International Cannabis Cultivation Questionnaire (ICCQ) is an online survey designed to facilitate international comparisons into the relatively under-researched but increasingly significant phenomenon of domestic cannabis cultivation. The Global Cannabis Cultivation Research Consortium has used the ICCQ to survey over 6000 cannabis cultivators across 11 countries. In this paper, we describe and reflect upon our methodological approach, focusing on the digital and traditional recruitment methods used to access this hidden population and the challenges of working across multiple countries, cultures and languages. Methods: Descriptive statistics showing eligibility and completion rates and recruitment source by country of residence. Results: Over three quarters of eligible respondents who were presented with the survey were included in the final sample of n=. 6528. English-speaking countries expended more effort to recruit participants than non-English-speaking countries. The most effective recruitment modes were cannabis websites/groups (33%), Facebook (14%) and news articles (11%). While respondents recruited through news articles were older, growing practice variables were strikingly similar between these main recruitment modes. Conclusion: Through this process, we learnt that there are trade-offs between hosting multiple surveys in each country vs. using one integrated database. We also found that although perceived anonymity is routinely assumed to be a benefit of using digital research methodologies, there are significant limits to research participant anonymity in the current era of mass digital surveillance, especially when the target group is particularly concerned about evading law enforcement. Finally, we list a number of specific recommendations for future researchers utilising Internet-mediated approaches to researching hidden populations.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.12.004
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.12.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 25576247
AN - SCOPUS:84922507374
SN - 0955-3959
VL - 26
SP - 238
EP - 249
JO - International Journal of Drug Policy
JF - International Journal of Drug Policy
IS - 3
ER -