Many forums and other online communities have rules concerning soliciting or using data from their site in research. You are encouraged to read through the rules prior to contacting the moderators. If there is not an anti-research clause in the rules, then you need to secure permission from the moderator. This permission may be via email as this is a virtual environment.

Facebook:

• If you intend to pay to create an advertisement on Facebook, you do not need permission from Facebook.
• If you intend to recruit from an open group (one that is publically available to anyone), then permission is not needed.
• If you intend to recruit from a closed group, you will need permission from the group’s owner or moderator to post recruitment information or contact group members. This permission may be secured by email as it is a virtual environment.

LinkedIn:

• If the group is open access, then permission is not needed.
• Permission to recruit those that are in your contact list isn’t needed (but it must be disclosed t to the IRB that you have a personal/professional connection with the potential participants)

If you are recruiting from a group on LinkedIn, you may need permission from the group owner to post in the group. You will need to contact the group moderator to determine if permission is needed.