This Pew Internet & American Life Project report is based on the findings of two daily tracking surveys on Americans’ use of the internet by Princeton Survey Research Associates International.

The Pew Social Ties survey was fielded from February 17, 2004, through March 17, 2004, and it surveyed 2,200 adults age 18 and older. For results based on the entire sample, the margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points; for results based on internet users, the margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points. The final response rate for that survey was 35%.

The Pew Major Moments Project survey on the internet’s role in major life decisions was fielded from February 21, 2005, through March 21, 2005, and it surveyed 2,201 adults age 18 and older. For results based on the entire sample, the margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points; for results based on internet users, the margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points. The final response rate for that survey was 30%.

The sample for this survey is a random digit sample of telephone numbers selected from telephone exchanges in the continental United States. The random digit aspect of the sample is used to avoid “listing” bias and provides representation of both listed and unlisted numbers (including not-yet-listed numbers). The design of the sample achieves this representation by random generation of the last two digits of telephone numbers selected on the basis of their area code, telephone exchange, and bank number. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting telephone surveys may introduce some error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.