I can allow for how it might be research, but, it seems a flawed notion, especially for someone studying online communications/communities. These communities are mostly organic. They exist because interested parties filled a need. If there was need for another outlet for kayakers, someone in the community would fill it. An outsider can't just pop into a community with, "Here's something you need, now get with it."

: At the risk of pedantic - how is this a research study? What are
: the goal(s) of the study (other than having a populated wiki)?

: It sounds like you're simply paying for content on a wiki?

: -Doug (who knows more about medical research studies than I'd ever
: like to admit)