ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the methodological challenges involved in the collection of biomarkers in population surveys, with particular emphasis on Internet surveys. It presents an overview of biomarker measurement and discusses the potential advantages and challenges of measuring biomarkers in population surveys. The chapter discusses the types of biospecimens and biomarkers of potential interest and existing measurement techniques. It also discusses the feasibility of collecting different biospecimens in an Internet survey. The chapter also presents the results of a pilot study conducted in the Netherlands to examine the feasibility of collecting three specific biomarkers in an Internet survey. It examines distributions of biomarkers and their association with demographic factors, and aims to compare these to results reported in previous studies that are based on traditional methods. A biological marker is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses.
