Using the internet for research into traffic psychology.

This paper discusses the issues that must be addressed when using the internet or any new medium for behavioural research. These include data quality and psychometric properties of internet data; the generalisability of the accessible sample to the driving population; and the potential quality of the stimuli. In particular the paper describes measuring drivers' risk-taking behaviour on the internet using photographic animations and photograph-based measures. The risk-taking behaviour measured was gap acceptance, using an experimental manipulation; speed choice; overtaking and close following. The authors conclude that the internet offers an alternative medium for conducting behavioural research in traffic psychology. For the covering abstract see ITRD E113725 (C 22328 CD-ROM).