To fill in the questionnaire, the respondents have been helped (face to face) by local researchers.
The Marines' instincts to help when presented face to face with a little boy in need are powerful.
"The phone has the potential to enhance parenting by giving parents an opportunity to provide guidance, even though they're not face to face, and help their kids learn how to make good decisions," he said.
Oovoo can be great for group studying and it makes it easy for kids to receive "face to face" homework help from classmates.
Conducting these interviews face to face also helped ensure findings were not being missed due to the IFG method.
"It's much easier to help face-to-face, especially when they're elderly or vulnerable – rather than trying to do it on the phone or on a website," Sommerville says.
Fiona Hollands, senior researcher at Columbia University's Teachers College, says computers are now being used for several distinct reasons in the classroom: they help face-to-face teacher instruction in "blended learning" models; can be used to supplement educators in "hybrid" teaching models; and replace teachers in "virtual" classrooms.
"ReachOut has seen firsthand the survey's dark side as we're the first stop on the frontline for young people who don't know where to turn or are reluctant to seek help face-to-face, particularly LGBTQI Australians," he said.
Online communities can also fill this role, so don't worry if you're not that great at talking to people or asking for help face-to-face.
The article Just a phone call away: Is telephone advice enough? from Nigel Balmer, Marisol Smith, Catrina Denvir and Ash Patel, compares the efficiency & quality of the experience of legal help given face to face, versus that provided over the telephone.
