Hello,

I (Stacey Woelfel) am conducting research towards a graduate degree in
political science at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.  I
am studying the growth of presidential politics on the Internet.  The
research will tell us a great deal about the emergence of this new
political communication technology.

In much the same fashion as national telephone polls are conducted for the
major media, your e-mail address has been selected at random to participate
in a brief survey.  The questionnaire takes less than 5 minutes to complete
and can be completed over the computer and e-mailed back to me at:

          polssww@mizzou1.missouri.edu

Let me stress that your responses are completely confidential and will
only be used for research purposes by myself. Your name,
e-mail address, and any other identifying information will be kept in
strictest confidence and will NOT be shared with anyone else. The
University of Missouri has a strict and binding code of ethics which
protects your rights as a research participant and which require that
confidentiality be protected and maintained at all times.  THIS SURVEY IS
NOT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN TOOL AND YOUR ANSWERS AND IDENTITY WILL NOT BE
RELEASED TO ANY CANDIDATES OR POLITICAL PARTY.

NOTE: you must be 18 years of age or older and give your informed consent
to participate in this study.

The purpose of the informed consent is to ensure that you understand
the purpose of the study and the nature of your envolvement.  To reach
informed consent I will provide sufficient information such that you
have the opportunity to determine whether you wish to participate in
the study.

Research Title:  Internet Political Communication

Research Personnel: The following person is the author of this research
project and may be contacted at any time at the University of Missouri in
Columbia, MIssouri
.
          Stacey Woelfel, (573)884-6397
          e-mail polssww@mizzou1.missouri.edu

Purpose and Task Requirements: The purpose of the present study is to
          examine the use of Internet communication in the education process
          of voters in the 1996 United States presidential election. You will
          be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire regarding aspects of your
          use of the Internet for political information.

Potential Risk/Discomfort: none

Anonymity/Confidentiality: The data collected in this study are kept
          annonymous and confidential.

Right to Withdraw: Although your participation in this study is
          greatly appreciated, nevertheless it is entirely voluntary
          and you have the right not to answer any questions or to
          withdraw at any time.

To answer the survey, begin by selecting the "Reply" function of your mail
reader.  You should be presented with a copy of this piece of mail.  Simply
write your answers in below each question on this short survey.  When
finished, choose "Send" on your mail reader.  Your completed survey will
then be returned to me.  Your help will be greatly appreciated by all
Internet users.

1.  In which U. S. state do you reside?


2.  For whom did you vote in the 1992 U. S. presidential election?


3.  Have you ever visited the World Wide Web site of any 1996 U. S.
presidential candidates?  Which ones?


4.  Have you ever visited the U. S. White House web site?


5.  Have you read any Usenet news groups concerning the 1996 U. S.
presidential election?  Which ones?


6. Have you subscribed to any discussion lists concerning the 1996 U. S.
presidential election?  Which ones?


7.  Have you ever received any information via e-mail about any candidate
in the 1996 U. S. presidential election?  Which ones?


8.  For whom do you intend to vote for U. S. president in 1996?


9.  With which U. S. political party do you identify  yourself most closely?


10.  What is your age?


11.  Are you male or female?


12. What is the highest level of education you have completed?


13.  What is your occupation?


14.  In which interval does you household income fall?

__less than $10,000

__$10,000 to $25,000

__$25,000 to $50,000

__$50,000 to $75,000

__$75,000 to $100,000

__more than $100,000


Thank you.  You can now send your reply to:

polssww@mizzou1.missouri.edu

Stacey Woelfel
University of Missouri