Research on the Internet: Validation of a World-Wide Web mediated personality scale

Two studies were performed to assess the validity of a World-Wide Web (WWW) measure of self-monitoring. In Study 1, Usenet Newsgroups likely to be rea d by high and low self-monitors were identified and a comparison was made o f the extent to which contributors engaged in a form of self-presentation ( use of handles or screen names) likely to be influenced by self-monitoring tendencies. Handles were used significantly more frequently in the high sel f-monitoring Newsgroups, supporting the distinction made. In Study 2, parti cipants recruited through these sets of Newsgroups completed the WWW-mediat ed test. Those from the high self-monitoring groups scored significantly hi gher. Self-reports of self-monitoring behavior also reflected scores on the scale. The results are interpreted as demonstrating the construct validity of the instrument used and the viability of criterion-group-oriented metho ds in Internet-mediated research.