Internet-based assessment of bowel symptoms and quality of life

• Published in: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 503 - 505
• Main Authors: Muth, Eric R, Switzer, Fred S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 01-06-2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gastrointestinal Diseases - rehabilitation; Health Surveys; Humans; Internet; Language; Medical sciences; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Remote Consultation - methods; Surveys and Questionnaires; World; Symptomatology; Validity; Survey; Questionnaire; psychometric principles; Gastroenterology; Psychometrics; World Wide Web; Internet; Reliability; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0954-691X; 1473-5687
• DOI: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e328300c849

This leading article refers to the paper by Enck P, Kowalski A, Martens U and Klosterhalfen S. Internet-based assessment of bowel symptoms and quality of life. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006; 18:1263–1269. We apologise to all concerned for the dissociation between the two papers, which was due to an administrative error.(Table is included in full-text article.)Internet-based questionnaires will, no doubt, continue to gain popularity. Internet presents an attractive medium for the researcher to collect large amounts of data with relatively little effort. The questionnaires can be available to respondents all over the world, 24 h a day, with very little labor involved. The questionnaires can be electronically scored immediately upon completion. Results can then be stored in an analyzable form or be used instantly to redirect the respondent to follow-up questionnaires. Nonetheless, good questionnaire design and psychometric principles still apply. This is true even when porting a valid paper and pencil test to the Internet. In addition, technical and logistical issues in web-based testing can affect the reliability and validity of the questionnaires. Researchers are cautioned to follow good questionnaire development practices and consider the unique problems of Internet-based instruments.