|
Data
Limitations
The
Internet is in a continual state of flux with literally thousands of new
sites appearing daily and many discontinued sites being gleaned from the
database. With the number of web pages in the multiple billions, one can
only draw a line when considering the depth of a search. It is inevitable
that online communities have been missed, some of which may have been
favorable to the Natural Bodybuilding Community. Considering that search
engines return results based on relevance however, the field depth of 100
returns per keyword query would seem sufficient for our purpose. Another
limiting factor lies in the fact that search engines, including Google,
occasionally change their logic algorithms prior to re-indexing the web.
This process sometimes referred to as a “dance”, can have a dramatic effect
on search engine placement. The Lift for Life.com site has seen its
relevance for targeted keywords move from the top ten results to literally
off the search engine map after a dance.
Possible
Errors and Omissions
After the
initial search for Web Based Communities which used ten different
combinations of keywords, additional bodybuilding communities were
discovered by the writer in subsequent searches. Rather than using keyword
combinations, the writers’ intent was to locate websites in which his
articles have been plagiarized or posted. This search resulted in the
discovery of several additional online communities for the interest of
bodybuilding, all of which however catered to the Enhanced Athlete. It is
likely that additional online communities in the interest of Natural
Bodybuilding could be found using different keyword combinations. Rather
than discovering a community presence by accident, the targeted keywords
chosen for this study would seem to be a practical and reasonable approach.
Data Reliability
All data
presented in this study was current at the time of research and has not been
misrepresented in any form. The writers’ personal views as expressed in this
document were supported with substantiating documentation.
Significant Findings
Due to his
experience as a bodybuilding competitor and author, the writer has been a
moderator, and posting member of multiple online bodybuilding communities.
Prior knowledge suggested that a significant imbalance in community
membership was to be expected. The magnitude of the imbalance however, with
less than 1% of current community membership falling to the Natural side was
not anticipated. This study has shown that successful web based communities
do not happen by accident, but are the result of advanced planning and
architecture of the online environment. It is possible that the magnitude of
the imbalance owes itself in part to poor planning on the part of community
developers.
It was
also interesting to note that the ABA (American Bodybuilding Association),
which claims to be the largest sanctioning body for drug tested competition,
does not offer online community to its members. No statistical documentation
could be found on the ABA website by which to validate this claim (www.naturalbodybuilding.com).
Mirroring the IFBB, the ABA’s highest level of competition is titled
“Natural Olympia”, which the ABA states is the “Pinnacle of Natural Sports”.
It seemed unfortunate therefore, that competitors and members of the ABA
cannot find online community under the umbrella of their sanctioning
organization. |
