On the 8th November 2008, the number of registered members in the Research Cooperative reached 200, a doubling since the 22nd September 2008, less than two months ago (see note on how membership numbers have increased over since inception).

To try and catch some of the significance of this doubling, I have manually collated data on the composition of our membership, based on the public record provided in member profiles. The full notes on each subject below can be seen by following the links.

I have also added some advice and comments regarding use and development of the Research Cooperative.

1.Locations (and countries) reported in member profiles

2. Topics reported in member profiles

3. Languages reported in member profiles

4. How to use the website effectively:

(i) if you would like other members to contact you concerning shared interests, please explain your interests in detail on your personal profile page,

(ii) if you would like to offer or request help or services (e.g. for editing, translation, etc.) please do not depend on others finding your profile page through a keyword search - please use our forums for offers and requests, and

(ii) become familiar with using 'Search methods inside the Research Cooperative'; the internal search system provided by our host (Ning.com) is rudimentary but good enough for most purposes.

5. Our Cooperative will become more effective when more of our members begin inviting others who are also involved with research and research publishing. In this way, the Cooperative can develop critical mass across a range of disciplines and writing-related services.

6. We are always looking for volunteers to translate our website introduction into further languages (see our existing translations here). We also need volunteer editors to help revise translations that were made previously.

7. Since October 2008, we have started receiving practical, non-financial sponsorship from Editage, a company that is active in Japan and internationally. This our first relationship with a sponsor, and is a work in progress. Editage is providing support for promotion of the website. On behalf of the Research Cooperative, I would like to take the opportunity here to thank the staff of Editage for their encouragement.

Sincerely, P. J. Matthews (for the Research Cooperative)

See also our report on the first 100 members