If you are collecting data using the internet, you still need to obtain informed consent. However, it is difficult and cumbersome to obtained hand-signed consent. You should request a waiver of documentation of informed consent.

Note that you are still required to provide the consent form to participant and obtain consent (just not hand-signed consent). Some suggestions for obtaining consent is to place the consent form at the beginning of the survey. By clicking ‘I agree’ the participant consents to be in the study. If they click ‘I don’t agree’ they are exited from the survey.

Additionally, if you are conducting telephone interviews or collecting data via email, one strategy for obtaining consent is emailing the consent form ahead of time and having the participant return the consent form with a statement of ‘I consent’ or typing their name at the bottom of the consent form and returning it.