Web or Internet-based surveys are increasingly popular in health survey research, enabling researchers to obtain a large amount of information in a cost-effective manner [1,2]. Strengths include the ability for individuals to anonymously complete a questionnaire on their own time at their own pace [3,4]. Nevertheless, Web-based surveys are complex to design and administer for a variety of reasons, including issues surrounding informed consent, risk, anonymity, data storage and security, and sampling [1,5,6]. Response rates with Web-based surveys may be lower compared with paper-based questionnaires further highlighting the importance of carefully considering survey design in relation to the target population [7]. Methodological considerations of Web-based survey research have been considered in other chronic illness populations such as cancer [8], cardiovascular disease [9], Parkinson’s disease [10], and diabetes [11]. Issues conducting Web-based surveys have also been described with men who have sex with men [12,13], and in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and prevention [14-16]. However, the strengths and challenges of Web-based surveys directly related to people living with HIV are unclear [17].
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Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research
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