Well, let's see:

1. It only investigated quilters in South Carolina, and then only once, so it is not by any means a definitive study;

2. It ignores purposes other than "quilting" for which quilters might travel, such as shows (which are not quilting, but art exhibits);

3. It ignores such quilt-related reasons for travel as fabric study groups and the American Quilt Study Group, both of which are HIGHLY academic.

So yes, it has all the earmarks of an earmark.