There are many areas in which citizens could perform research in the public interest that existing university, business, and government facilities will not perform or could not do well. Surely, gaining knowledge about our habitat will put us in a better position to improve it. A prototype research project would be for citizens to send the following information (or just your suggestions) to me at bm199@scn.org re: community research (any category is optional, of course, and all personal information will be held confidential):
Gender
Race
Ethnicity
Party affiliation (if any)
Occupation
Names & ages of children and relatives
Weekly income
Rent & utility amounts
Homeowner?
Public assistance? How long?
Victim of crime?
Mode of transportation?
If automobile, can you afford liability
insurance for your vehicle?
Are you being harassed by collection agencies?
Houses of worship?
Languages spoken in rank of proficiency
Cutting edge, technologically-empowered community research is currently being developed at http://www.loka.org