[Air-L] research on internet-based petitions

Hello, Can anyone suggest leads to research on the efficacy of internet-based petitions (perhaps as compared with other forms of social action & advocacy)? The prevailing sentiment certainly seems to be that there is little merit to the online petition, irrespective of the intent; however, it would be nice to be able to quantify this for students and to potentially re-channel their enthusiasm. Thank you. Pavel -- Pavel Cenkl Dean of Academics Sterling College 16 Sterling Drive Craftsbury Common, VT 05827 802-586-7711 ext. 140 pcenkl@sterlingcollege.edu www.sterlingcollege.edu