On behalf of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the authors would like to acknowledge the contributions to this study by the following people:
Lee Rainie provided editorial direction and insights at every stage of the research. Tom Ferguson, MD, conceived the online survey, coordinated respondent recruitment, and provided valuable observations.
We are grateful to those who posted official announcements about the online survey: John Lester, Information Systems Director at the Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Gilles Frydman, founder of ACOR – the Association of Online Cancer Resources; Alan Greene, MD, Chief Medical Officer of A.D.A.M., Founder & CEO of DrGreene.com, and the Pediatric Expert for AmericanBaby.com; and Joe and Terry Graedon, authors of The People’s Pharmacy, a syndicated newspaper column. We are also grateful to all the unofficial announcements made by Internet users on listservs, on Web sites, in personal email, and in neighborhoods. The response to the online survey by nearly 2,000 Internet users was extraordinary and shaped every aspect of this report.
We are also grateful for the expert opinions offered by John Horrigan; Cynthia Baur; Mary Jo Deering; Sam Karp; Claudia Page; Todd Wagner; and David Laflamme.
Linda Griffin Kean, of Kean Insights Communications, edited and designed this report. Carolyn McHale, of BoldFace Design, created the demographic charts.
About the Pew Internet & American Life Project: The Pew Internet Project is a nonprofit, non-partisan think tank that explores the impact of the Internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care, and civic/political life. The Project aims to be an authoritative source for timely information on the Internet’s growth and societal impact. Support for the project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The project’s Web site: www.pewresearch.org/internet
About Princeton Survey Research Associates: PSRA conducted the surveys that are covered in this report. It is an independent research company specializing in social and policy work. The firm designs, conducts, and analyzes surveys worldwide. Its expertise also includes qualitative research and content analysis. With offices in Princeton, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., PSRA serves the needs of clients around the nation and the world. The firm can be reached at 911 Commons Way, Princeton, NJ 08540, by telephone at 609-924-9204, by fax at 609-924-7499, or by email at ResearchNJ@PSRA.com
