Using Internet services to generate a research sampling frame.

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the authors used Internet services to generate a sampling frame for their on-going pilot study, which evaluates the psychometric properties of Chen's Nursing Home Tool, a community needs assessment instrument for nursing homes. The proposed sampling frame may be used to survey nursing home residents and family members, nursing home providers and community leaders for any selected community in the USA. The availability of a user-friendly sampling frame can assist health-care professionals to determine required and desired services and further contribute to the development of a more comprehensive health-service system.