The relative ease of attaining research participants using internet based versions of standard paper-and-pencil questionnaires makes the former an attractive alternative to the latter. Reduced costs, accelerated data acquisition, and the hands-off nature of administration, suggests that internet based surveys will become the preferred method. While a growing body of research suggests that internet derived samples differ little from traditionally derived samples, evidence suggests that internet samples are more heterogeneous than traditional samples and are more representative of the general population. The evidence, and the novelty of this method of data collection has, perhaps, lead experimenters to overlook certain methodological shortcomings. The extreme self-selection issue is one that must be noted, depending on the procedure for getting participants to the site. Also, by examining server logs, acquiring demographic information early in the study, and examining the role of certain situational variables, a greater picture of research participant mortality comes into focus. After a brief overview of this new research avenue, there will be presented preliminary data that addresses the advantages and disadvantages.