Are there any other open research and analysis portals/services
similar to Google Answers?  What I am specifically interested in is
business models like www.rentacoder.com that have been adapted to
produce reports, presentations, surveys etc.  I require the name of
service, link url and a very brief summary of each (paragraph).

Dear Josbullock, 

Here are several service similar to "Rent-a-Coder": 

Intota Expert Knowledge Services - http://www.intota.com/  - "Online
certified experts in Industry, Technology, Engineering, Science, and
Materials provide answers to questions with confidential telephone,
e-mail and project consulting."

eLance.com - http://www.elance.com/c/static/main/displayhtml.pl?file=eol.html&module=home
- "The Elance Online services marketplace is the world?s leading
web-based project marketplace, which offers small businesses a quick,
easy way to outsource projects -- including web development, graphic
design, software, engineering, administrative services, business
strategy, writing and more ? to a global pool of high-quality service
providers. Using Elance Online, businesses can locate, evaluate,
negotiate with, manage and pay service providers, substantially
reducing the time it takes to buy services and manage projects while
realizing 20-60% cost savings. Posting projects is free. Service
providers use Elance Online as a powerful source of new customers,
with thousands of new projects posted each week. Elance Online also
powers customized Distributed Work solutions for mid-sized
enterprises."

Guru.com - http://www.guru.com/ - The largest online marketplace for talent. 

Freelance.com - http://www.freelance.com/__C125675B0014F649.nsf -
"Freelance.com provides the fastest and most efficient means of
identifying qualified professionals for project based needs or
long-term activities anywhere in the world, anytime."

If you search Google Answers (in the search box) for previous answers
you are likely to find further answers, of sites that though not
exactly similar to rent-a-coder, also provide answers for a fee.

See, for example, this answer of mine: 
Expert advice systems sites?
<http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=250464> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it.

Just what I was after.  Thanks