Final answer:
True, the lack of a comprehensive directory for email addresses poses a challenge for Internet sampling frames, leading to potential biases in survey samples due to self-selection and limited Internet access among some populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, a concern with Internet sampling frames is indeed that there is no comprehensive directory of or standard format for email addresses. Internet surveys and polls face several specific challenges relative to collecting unbiased and accurate data. Without a comprehensive list of email addresses, it is not possible to ensure that every potential participant is given an equal chance of selection, leading to a potential bias in the sample. Furthermore, people tend to self-select for online surveys, with some either opting not to respond or providing unreliable responses. This selection bias can also result from the fact that not everyone has access to the Internet or an email account, as suggested by a 2008 report on technology use that found approximately 20 percent of U.S. households had never sent an email.
Other problems with online data collection include inability to prevent a person from responding multiple times through different email accounts or misrepresenting their demographics. Response rates are also difficult to calculate, which can further jeopardize the representativeness of the sample. Despite these difficulties, many companies continue to conduct online surveys due to their necessity in reaching certain demographics, like younger individuals.