Can on-line discussion sites generate quality data for research purposes?

We have recently presented orally the preliminary findings of some research where we derived our data from online discussion sites. Our research described parents’ and caregivers’ experiences of administering medications to young children (1, 2). Different aspects of these data have been presented at four different conferences (each in a different country, and across two continents). On each occasion, our audience of clinicians and researchers have been divided about the credibility and quality of our results. In response to these divergent opinions encountered, we have reflected on whether online discussion sites can contribute to quality research in the arena of health.