Table 1.

Description of variables

Variable Type	Variable	Definition
Explained variable	Knowledge contribution(Quantity)	“Number of overall answers the focal user X contributed to the online community in a given time t.“
	Knowledge contribution (Quality)	“Number of answers the focal user X contributed to the online community in a given time t that has received peer recognition and endorsement.“
Exploratory variables	Received comments	“Number of comments the focal user X receives in a given time t for questions and answers submitted to the community.“
	Question asked	“Number of questions asked by a focal user X in a given time t.“
	Favourite votes	“The number of favourite votes (Accepted by Originator + favourite) received by a user X in the given time t for a question or Answer posted in the community.”
	Upvotes	“Number of upvotes the focal user X receives in a given time t for questions and answers submitted to the community.“
	Peeve votes	“Number of peeve votes (offensive + close + deletion + spam) received by the focal user X in a given time t for his question and answers submitted to the community.“
	Downvotes	“Number of downvotes the focal user X receives in a given time t for Q&A submitted to the community.“
	Answer count received	“Number of answers the focal user X receives from the community in a given time t.“
Control variables	View count	“The number of users seen the question asked or answered by a focal user X in a given time t.”
	Badges	Gold badges. “Number of gold badges granted to the focal participant by the community in a given time.“ Silver badges. “Number of silver badges granted to the focal participant by the community in a given time.“ Bronze badges. “Number of bronze badges granted to the focal participant by the community in a given time.“
	Reputation	“Reputation score of the focal participant in the community at the beginning of every quarter.“
	Comment posted	“Number of comments posted by the focal user X in a given time t.”