"Who is the best researcher on Google Answers?"
Kev3141-ga expands on this ostensibly simple question nicely.
"Best" can be so many things:  
Most money earned by successfully answering high-priced questions which usually 
  do require higher searching skills and skill in expressing complicated and 
  often delicate matters; ...
Most questions answered  =  greatest service to the whole GA population;
Most entertaining combination of information and wit;
Greatest range of subjects answered (there are some GAR specialists who 
  certainly could answer many questions outside the narrow fields they limit 
  themselves to);

It seems to me that they are all very "high quality thinkers", 

SO I do NOT want to start a nomination list      DO NOT!

but would be interested in to learn how others would describe the
qualities of a superior GAR.

Myoarin

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Clarification of Question by myoarin-ga on 27 Apr 2005 09:48 PDT

Hello,
If the GAR community is really upset about Kev's or my question  ...
Well, ... mine certainly was not meant to upset you all, and I doubt
Kev's was either, but just say so and I will cancel mine, which I
can't do when it's locked.
I'll make it easy by naming a couple of GARs, so no one has to know
how they personally feel about the matter.
 Pinkfreud, Scriptor or Czh 

best regards,
myoarin

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Request for Question Clarification by journalist-ga on 27 Apr 2005 13:54 PDT

Greetings Myoarin,

The most prolific and highest-rated GA Researcher is Bobbie7-ga with a
total of 2,205 questions answered and a 4.75 rating.

Best regards,
journalist-ga

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Clarification of Question by myoarin-ga on 27 Apr 2005 14:23 PDT

Greetings Journalist-ga,
Thanks.  Indeed Bobbie7-ga is, and not just in the statistics but in
the perception of many.

Hi myoarin...

This past asked question, on the same topic, may interest you:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=224461

Steph53

thanks steph53, that was a great thread.  I was still trying to learn
how to move a cursor back then.
Funny thing is, the lock is still hanging next to the price on the
list, but the question has been freed for ...  No, the lock is still
there from before, will disappear if I go back to the beginning.
The important "players" are still around, plus a few more experts.
Thanks again.

Howdy Myoarin,

I don't think any of the GARs are upset by the question, but rather it
is probably because the definition of "best" or other such descriptions
are vague.

I don't know that being a "high quality thinker" is essential to being
a good (or great) researcher.  I don't think it would hurt, either.

As well, I don't know how many GARs "study" other researcher's answers.
I will read someone else's answer on a question that I might have been
interested in either answering, or interested in the question itself,
but at this point, I don't go out of my way to read an answered question.

The qualities that I have observed are, in general, but not limited to,
the following, in no specific order:

- tenacity
- humor
- a sense of style
- the ability to communicate
- precision with compassion
- compassion with precision
- brevity when called on, or perceived, and not terse otherwise
- a modicum of intelligence
- vocabulary, grammar, composition and writing skills
- innovativeness
- discernment
- creativity
- right angleness
- a passion for research, and a passion for the process of researching
- patience
- the ability, when called for, to see the true question being asked.

I could go on, but you get my picture.

As I think it describes myself, I prefer researchers that have a broad,
and sometimes esoteric, knowledge base.  I marvel at those that answer
the "big" money questions because I don't have the requirements that it
takes to answer most of those types of queries.

I like to answer mundane, methodical, plodding types of questions.  I
attempt to bring a certain style of writing to my answers, because even
though it might be a dry question, it should not be limited to a colorless
response.

I have not answered the most questions nor am I the highest rated nor do
I even begin to be the GAR with a large number of comments.  As for money,
well!

Everything taken into account, I would still like to think I am a good, and
even, at times, a great researcher.  I am in very good company when it comes
to those regards, as I truly, and hopefully somewhat humbly, consider this
to be a place peopled by some of the best researchers that exist.

If there was a "Super Bowl" of researching, my brother and sister GARs would
be the ones I would want on the team.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Denco-ga,
You just demonstrated it;  when a GAR responds, it's complete,
succinct and reasoned -  and doesn't leave much to be said.  :-)
Maybe I should have reserved comments to us humble seekers and defined
that the "answer" should be compilation after some number of days or
comments.
Too late now!  Thanks!

I hope that does not stiffle other comments.
Best regards, myoarin

Some of the statistics here may be interesting (if dated):

http://www.answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=400081

Thanks Pinkfreud-ga, and congratulations on that outstanding recognition!  :-)