Separate response/comment for each question. Not all in one answer but numbered 1-3

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1- One of the critical information technology concepts highlighted in Williams (2012) is anonymity, primarily as it involves conducting internet research and the involvement of online users. Anonymity is one of the ways used to guarantee privacy and confidentiality on the internet. On the one hand, Williams (2012) argues that guaranteed confidentiality ensures that the researcher has access to subjects that would otherwise not be accessible physically due to constraints such as perceived discrimination. In a safe and secure space online, users can freely engage or partake in research processes without fearing victimization or discrimination. On the other hand, Williams (2012) also notes that anonymity can be a setback for researchers because allowing users to remain anonymous limits the possibility that the person completing the survey is the real person. Anonymity implies that users can freely change their persona online. The implications on the quality, reliability, and validity of evidence are dire. Mainly, suppose a researcher obtains feedback or collects data from online users whose real identity is not the same as the one displayed. In that case, the sample will be deemed unrepresentative of the target research population (McInroy, 2016). Unrepresentative samples limit the validity of research findings as the data collected is inaccurate and imprecise. Henceforth, researchers must take adequate measures to ensure that sampled online users accurately represent the target population to guarantee the validity of the evidence.

The second information technology concept discussed by William (2012) is the “virtual environment.” The internet provides endless opportunities for individuals to interact virtually, share information, exchange ideas, and get entertained. Researchers can leverage such virtual spaces to conduct ethnographic studies that mainly involve participant observation unobtrusively to obtain crucial data. According to Williams (2012), these virtual environments are best for conducting social and psychological studies. However, Williams (2012) questions the possibilities of transferring virtual environments to face-to-face situations. Ideally, while communication and interaction in the virtual and face-to-face spaces could be the same, users can exhibit a different persona in the virtual environment. Online users have varied reasons for being online. Thus, the avatars, identity, and behavior exhibited online may not accurately represent the user’s true self. Besides, Williams (2012) further states that the researcher cannot assess the participant’s mental and emotional state within the virtual environment. All these considerations adversely affect the quality and reliability of the evidence. As mentioned earlier, anonymity can benefit the participant as it ensures privacy. However, to the researcher, this level of confidentiality makes it difficult to guarantee the accurate representation of the target population (McInroy, 2016). Overall, while information technology tools and capabilities enhance research processes making them more efficient, quicker, and less time-consuming, it is recommendable to take sufficient measures to ensure that the samples used are true representatives of the target population.

2- There are many advantages to the use of web based research. Some of these are, it makes data collection easy, is cost-effective for the investigator, gives examiners the opportunity of conducting research on populations with whom research has never been conducted before, it provides openness to follow up on the subjects or give feedback, and provides anonymity to the participants (Williams, 2012). As you can see, the use of internet research has been demonstrated to be a good asset when it comes to conducting research. But not everything is as beautiful as it sounds. It is important to keep in mind that to have the same quality and outcomes as traditional methods of data collection and analysis, it is vital that gathering data and distribution on the internet be conducted ethically (Williams, 2012).

Virtual Ethnographic Studies

Williams mentions another way that research is being conducted through the use of technology, and that is virtual ethnographic studies. Through an online space subjects are observed in their natural environment. The difference is that this time, researchers cannot assess the mental health of the participants and some virtual environments can be emotionally harmful to participants (Williams, 2012). In this case the researcher cannot help the subjects in the study because they are not present, or face-to-face. When compared to a traditional environment, where the investigator is present to offer assistance at a time of crisis, this distance makes it difficult to determine if something is amiss. Researchers should know that making participants feel uncomfortable during research can be considered unethical (Williams, 2012). As we can see there are a few disadvantages to this type of research. And we can also include, testing settings are not controlled, problems with the equipment, finding ways to maintain the portal user-friendly, decrease in the time it take for the participants to respond, errors by the surveyor could occur, uncertainty about the accuracy of respondents’ data, and the competition for the participants attention (Williams, 2012).

It is important to keep in mind that while the use of IT brings many advantages to the research world, it can also has some disadvantages. It is imperative that the participants be kept safe at all times, and that their rights as research subjects be preserved. If the end goal of research is to find ways to improve quality of life, then what good would it be, if in research process ethical standards are violated?

3- The healthcare industry places a lot of emphasis on research and integrating research evidence into everyday clinical practices. In this context, nurses and other care practitioners must engage in research and access research material to guide the practices. The internet provides an important platform for these activities. According to Ahmad, Musallam, and Allah (2018), the internet is a global system that provides a broad and huge amount of information and resources. Given the increased use of the internet and its advantages, especially in accessing relatively unreachable individuals and groups, it is increasingly playing an important role in healthcare and nursing research. However, there are advantages and disadvantages of using the internet for research purposes.

Williams (2012) discusses several information technology-based concepts used in healthcare and nursing research. One is the use of internet-based communication tools such as chat rooms, blogs, listservs, and massage boards. According to Williams (2012), these platforms provide convenience when conducting research but require careful consideration of the ethical and moral issues of intervention, observation, and interaction. Another example is internet-based surveys, which according to Williams (2012), are cost and time effective compared to traditional surveys, which have to be printed, physically distributed, and collected. These approaches significantly facilitate research by increasing access to participants and reducing the time and cost constraints associated with traditional research approaches. While this positively impacts healthcare and nursing research, the use of information technologies raises key ethical concerns. A major concern is the security of personal information and the ability of researchers to maintain anonymity and participants’ privacy. It is important to re-examine these issues as the field expands.