ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the design and the results of the recruitment of the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social sciences (LISS) panel in the Netherlands, an Internet panel consisting of 5,000 households. The sample for the recruitment of an Internet panel is considered to be “traditionally composed” when it is based on a probability sample drawn from recorded data. The simPC is a simple computer with a service subscription. It was designed with limited functionality, because most elderly people will probably only use the PC for Internet access and e-mail. Additional support was provided through a help desk and technical assistance and by asking a child or other family member of the potential respondent to help explain the purpose and the procedures of the LISS panel. Internet panels that claim to be representative of a national population are criticized because of the method of recruitment of the panel members and the composition of the panel.
