Kerill,

I had a similar problem in my dissertation research comparing online
deliberations. To my knowledge, there is no list that would allow to
draw a sample according to the criteria of quantitative research
methodology (i.e. an inclusive list of all forums).

I decided to collect as many cases as possible which satisfy my
criteria (large-scale political deliberation). Currently, I know of
about 60 such cases. In a next step, I selected nine cases based on
the consideration that they should be similar with respect to certain
criteria (size, duration, access, etc.), but also different with
respect to others (type of deliberation, topic, etc.). Of course, you
will have to match your ideals with what you find as cases. You end up
with a small-N research design, which I think is well suited for the
current stage of development of online forums.

If you're interested, I can send you the list with my cases (if your
focus is similar to mine)

All the best,
Steffen

kerilldunne wrote:

> Hi there,
> Does anyone know of a database (population list) from which I could
draw a sample of online political forums to analyze? The type forums I
am interested in are ones which allow citizens to discuss local or
national political issues. If anyone has any ideas please email me at
kerilldunne@...
> Thanks
> Kerill
>

---------------------------

Steffen Albrecht

Hamburg University of Technology
Institute of Technology and Society
Schwarzenbergstr. 95
21071 Hamburg
Germany

Tel. +49 40 42878-3680
Fax: +49 40 42878-2635
eMail: steffen.albrecht@...
www: http://www.tu-harburg.de/tbg