The secondary-source article comes from the August 30, 1998 edition of the New York Times. Written by Amy Harmon, the report is titled ÒResearchers Find Sad Lonely World in Cyberspace.Ó The article goes on to explain that researchers at Carnegie Mellon University completed a study (later identified as the ÒHomenetÓ study) that examines the social and psychological effects of Internet use in the

home. What they found, the report states, is that the initial depression and loneliness of the participants in the study did not increase use on the Internet. However, citing the researchers, the article states; ÒInternet use itself appeared to cause a decline in psychological well-being.Ó

Besides the details discrepancy the biggest difference between the two articles is the tone they each take. The research article is written in a much more objective way than the Times report. The information is laid out in an organized outline fashion. It follows the order of the research itself: first explaining the methods then moving on to the data gathered and then to analysis of the data. The Times article, on the other hand, is set up like most newspaper articles. The most interesting and ÒnewsworthyÓ information appearing at the beginning while the lesser information on how the study was done is summed up nearer the end. Also, HarmonÕs view of the facts is related in a somewhat more subjective manner. The title alone implies a grim, doom-filled look at the Internet that may or may not be so. Furthermore, the researchersÕ article is based solely on the study and what was discovered from it. The Times makes much use of quotes both from the researchers themselves as well as other psychologists in the community. It also adds a personal dimension by interviewing actual participants in the study. Their personal opinions, of course, have little to do with the overall sample results. It does, however, provide a more intimate appeal to the average reader.

The researchers next include a section on the current debate of the Internet. They discuss the uses of the Internet describing social and asocial functions. They then go on to compare it with television and its entertainment value. Issues of time-displacement and physical inactivity related with television watching is also compared with possible effects of the Internet. They do grant that the Internet is inherently more social than television but emphasize that the relationships created on-line are not the same as traditional relationships. They cite other research in this field that has found positive Internet attributes but claim that this research is Òpotentially inaccurateÓ.

Some common words found in the essay are:
York Times, Psychological Well-BeingÓ, Mellon University, Wide Web, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, , Internet Furthermore, Robert Kraut, American Psychology, Pittsburgh Half, times article, social involvement, psychological well-beingÓ, involvement psychological, social involvement psychological, involvement psychological well-beingÓ, york times, psychological well-being, effects internet, internet associated, participants study, times article hand, research article, data times article, local distant social,
Approximate Word count = 2193
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)