Based on a survey of 4113 U.S. adults, researchers at Stanford University
concluded that Internet use leads to increased social isolation. The survey
was conducted by an Internet-based polling company that selected its samples
from a pool of 35,000 potential respondents, all of whom had been given free
Internet access and WebTV hardware in exchange for agreeing to regularly
participate in surveys conducted by the polling company. Two criticisms of
this study were expressed in an article that appeared in the San Luis Obispo
Tribune (February 28 .
2000). The first criticism was that increased social isolation was measured by
asking respondents if they were talking less to family and friends on the
phone. The second criticism was that the sample was selected only from a group
that was induced to participate by the offer of free Internet service, yet the
results were generalized to all U.S. adults. For each criticism, indicate what
type of bias is being described and why it might make you question the
conclusion drawn by the researchers.