Dear Respondent,

This questionnaire is being distributed to those who connect in a 'commonality of interests' as part of online communities for the collection and dissemination of information on Human Rights Issues through the Internet.

As a respondent to this questionnaire you are invited to contribute and to use your e-mail reply facility to forward your answers to < nichuana@tinet.ie >

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1. Gender?

2. Age Group 18-25, 26-39, 40-55, 56+,?

3. Occupation:

  (a) Student?

(b) Educator?

(c) Media? 

  (d) Business?

  (e) Other?

4. Geographical Location:

(a) North America?

(b) South America?

(c) Europe?

  (d) Asia?

(e) Africa?

  (f) Australia?

5. Why do you use online communities/discussion forums which relate to Human Rights Activism (if for more than one use, please specify them in your order of importance):

(a) For information?

  (b) For information not available in mainstream media?

(c) To be in contact with like minded people?

  (d) To exchange information with others?

  (e) To engage in discussions?

(f) For any other reason?

6. What are your patterns of use/frequency of use:

(a) Daily?

(b) Weekly?

  (c) Monthly?

  (d) Other?

7. Are you a reader of/contributor to/(or both) to your chosen online community/ies?

8. Are you a member of a Human Rights Organisation such as:

  (a) Amnesty International?

(b) Human Rights Watch?

(c) Other? (Please specify

9. How does your contribution to Online Human Rights Issues complement your life and involvement in community offline? (for example do you go to meetings, read newsletters or participate offline in Human and Civil Rights Issues?)

10. How do you view the development of Online Communities/Discussion Forums which relate to Human and Civil Rights? 

I thank you for your participation.
Deirdre Ní Chuanacháin MA
Department of Sociology
University College Cork
IRELAND.  

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