Nielsen found that 18% of online visitors (at least from their sample) use social media as a discovery tool aka as research tool. I know I do it. It is a way to find "hidden gems". http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/social-media-the-next-great-gateway-for-content-discovery/
So what do you think? I am very big into finding so much wealth and gems in user generated content. It is a great way of conducting preliminary qualitative research.
