We're going to be studied!

[Rapscallion]

I've been approached by Xarlaxas and I've given permission for him to conduct a study of the forum and its members for a university project.

Xarlaxas will be able to give you the full details in this thread, but from what I've read your participation will be voluntary and if you don't want your postings to be used then they won't be used. The results of this won't go beyond the university instructors who will be grading the paper.

Over to you, Xarlaxas.

Rapscallion

[dalesys]

(Dons rat in a lab coat disguise)


OK! Ready to be mazed!

[Mr Hero]

I'm not very good with mazes.

[Lachrymose]

*Puts on most presentable pair of pants*

Wait..I don't usually wear pants when loafing around the house and posting on here.

*Puts on most presentable pair of underwear*

[RetailWorkhorse]

I'm not very good with mazes.

Mazes are easy if you do them backwards. :D

[Lachrymose]

Oh, gods. This isn't going to be like Cube, is it?

[ArcticChicken]

Mazes are easy if you do them backwards. :D

A well designed maze is equally difficult from both ends.

[dalesys]

A well designed date is equally difficult from both ends.
:p .........

[Xarlaxas]

Hey everyone!

Sorry I wasn't at the PC when the thread was, very kindly, posted by Raps, but I'm here now to give you some more details on exactly what I'll be up to!

Basically, I'm about to start my fourth year at the University of Edinburgh and as a Sociology major I have to do my own piece of original research. I've chosen to look at internet identity, and for the data gathering portion of my project I have been approaching a few different fora where I will be a) looking at posts to see how people's posting styles differ between different communities, and b) interview members of the communities I'm observing to get their views on how they act online through different venues (IRC, Facebook, E-mails, on a forum itself, etc.).

If anyone would like to be interviewed for this please contact me (through this thread, PMs, e-mails, visitor message, elaborate smoke signals, and so forth).

If you feel uncomfortable with me observing your posts you can get in touch with me and I will avoid using anything you post in my project.

When I've finished my final draft I will forward the sections that relate to this forum to Raps and the modding team to ensure I'm not misrepresenting y'all in any way, and anyone I directly interview will get to see anything that involves them in my project. The summary of my paper will also be available should people be interested in seeing it.

Finally, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me and I'll answer them to the best of my ability. Also, thanks a lot to Raps and the modding team for giving me permission to do this, I know how important it is that your online and offline identities are kept secure on this site! :)

[42_42_42]

Officially volunteering to be studied! :D

[EricKei]

Officially volunteering to be studied! :D
*considers sending a needlessly complex smoke signal, then decides against it and just sends a thumbs up*

Same here. I'd be available for interviewyness, as well, should you wish to do so.

This should be interesting. :D

[dragon_wings]

Oh I'm so in!

[ArcticChicken]

If you wanna interview me, I'm willing to be interviewed.

[patiokitty]

Throws my hat into the pile - I'm all for this sort of thing!

[Kogarashi]

Sounds neat. Count me in (both for posting review and interviewing). :: puts on clever glasses ::

[Mr Hero]

"My life is a chip in your pile. Time to ante up." (cookies for reference)

Well, as long as it doesn't involve anal probing I'm ok with this.

[Teefies2]

Me too Me too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RetailWorkhorse]

Oh, gods. This isn't going to be like Cube, is it?

....I GET THE BUTTON!

*Sucks on a button*

b) interview members of the communities I'm observing to get their views on how they act online through different venues (IRC, Facebook, E-mails, on a forum itself, etc.).


OoooOooOoOoooOOooo! Count me in!


Well, as long as it doesn't involve anal probing I'm ok with this.

Spoilsport. And I got this brand new cattle prod, too. *Pout* :p

[Food Lady]

I am who I am, wherever I go, online or off. Ask me whatever you want.

[purplecat41877]

Sounds like it might be interesting. Count me in.:)

[Antisocial_Worker]

Bring it on. I'm in!

[teh_blumchenkinder]

>_>
I too am copacetic with this plan. Don't send me spam, don't probe my nethers, and we'll be good. :D
Explicitly stating: Interview is alright with me, but preferably via internet resources-- my phone isn't strong enough to reach to Scotland (but I do have a webcam). :(
EDIT: if this is used to track me down like an animal ala Tom Clancy/Splinter Cell... I reserve the right to seduce the strike team. :3

[iradney]

I'm keen. Would be interesting :)

[Mytical]

Well I warn you, I don't really communicate with facebook/twitter/etc and barely with IM..Socially inept, very quiet, don't post much..if you can accept that .. then sure.

I warn you, anybody who has tried to enter my head has themselves become insane :devil:

[truthless86]

"My life is a chip in your pile. Time to ante up." (cookies for reference)

That's 100% Setzer (FF6)

Also, I know I'm still new to this community, but I'll raise my hand to volunteer as well.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Never forget... the GIFT (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GIFT).
(and accompanying farkery)

[AccountingDrone]

Well, I do guinea piggery in real life, I can do it online =)

[HawaiianShirts]

I'm game, if you can conduct interviews in some kind of online fashion (email, IM, etc.). I'm almost never available for phone calls, and when I am, Little Shirts interrupts frequently enough to make it a pointless effort (he's almost two, which means he requires nearly constant attention, but he just CAN'T STAND IT when I'm on the phone).

Sounds like a fun project! Even if you don't need to interview me, I'd be interested to read some of your conclusions.

[monolayth]

If you need me I will be willing.

[Xarlaxas]

Wow, that's a lot of responses. I am a very happy bunny to see so much interest in my work. :)

I'll clarify a couple of points too:

Interviews will be done digitally, so that can be via e-mail, PM, Skype, MSN, IRC, Google Talk, whatever works for you. :)

I've added people who've expressed interest into a list of people to observe, and those who have explicitly stated that they're up for being interviewed to an Interviewees list.

I'm assuming that anyone who's up for interviewing is up for being observed, if that's not the case please get in touch. Also, if you'd like to be interviewed and haven't explicitly said so, please get in touch via PMs or the thread.

For those that I will be interviewing, you can expect to hear from me within the next couple of weeks as I'll be spending some time doing observations and reading to prepare my interview guide.

As always, if you've got any questions or comments, please feel free to ask them. :)

[TawnyMyst]

I would be interested in helping if you would like.

[SuperDan]

I'm up for being interviewed and studied. If you anal probe, please use lube.

[SongsOfDragons]

*adds flag to the pile* What an awesome idea!! Good luck with it!! I'd like to add myself to the ever-growing pile of interest. ^^ Though I'm more a lurker nowadays.

[jnd4rusty]

Sounds interesting..count me in also. I don't post very much but I am on here all the time.

[dragon_wings]

To clarify: I'm willing to be observed and interviewed. ^_^

[taxguykarl]

I'm in FWIW, but my more interesting postings won't be 'til tax season.

[Eisa]

-elaborate smoke signals-

You can interview/observe me if you like. :) But I'm very odd, just warning you in advance. :p

[dragon_wings]

-elaborate smoke signals-

You can interview/observe me if you like. :) But I'm very odd, just warning you in advance. :p

Honestly, Eisa.... I think a lot of us are odd. I know I am. ^_^

[dalesys]

Honestly, Eisa.... I think a lot of us are odd. I know I am. ^_^
... and the rest dream of getting even ...

[SongsOfDragons]

Just thought I'd mention, having re-read the thread; I'm up for the interviewee list too.

[Antisocial_Worker]

I'll clarify and state I'm up for being interviewed and observed as well. Interview me! Observe me! Smack my thighs with a belt and tell me what a naughty, naughty girl I am -- oh, wait... Whoops, never mind that last part... I just got carried away.

[Mikkel]

I'll clarify and state I'm up for being interviewed and observed as well. Interview me! Observe me! Smack my thighs with a belt and tell me what a naughty, naughty girl I am -- oh, wait...

I'm willing too :D.

[drunkenwildmage]

I'm ready,willing, and able also.

[Ghel]

If you need more interviewees, I'll volunteer, too.

[Andara Bledin]

I'm up for both observation and interviewing as well. Won't be the first Internet-based sociology report I've been a part of. :)

^-.-^

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I'm up for it.

[telecom_goddess]

I'm up for it too, interviewing and observing. Gmail chat would probably be the easiest one on one real time way to do it for me. I"ll pm with details.

[crazylegs]

Chalk me up as happy to help in any way I can :)

[CorneliaMarieRocks]

I'm in too...I don't post much ( more of a lurker) but I'm always on...Interviewing & observing both...PM's or e-mail would probably be the best way for me (e-mail addy is in my profile) Good luck! :)

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Ah, what the hell. I want to be studied too.

[EricKei]

I'll clarify and state I'm up for being interviewed and observed as well..For the sake of clarification: ditto. :angel:

[42_42_42]

To clarify: I'm willing to be observed and interviewed. ^_^

ditto. :wave:

[BeenThereDoneThat]

I sent a PM but I guess I'll just say it here too...I'd be happy to be a test subject for your project :D

[Mytical]

Heh, poor person..asks for volunteers and probably didn't expect this many to raise hands...well...

For both interview, and studying, and heck putting on a fez and riding a unicycle..*raises hands*

Disclaimer : Fez and Unicycle must be supplied, and no guarantees that either will last long /disclaimer

[Xarlaxas]

Hehe, oh, believe me, too many volunteers is much better than the alternative!

The only problem I could see is my PM inbox getting full! ;)

Thanks again everyone for being so helpful!

[Rapscallion]

Try your inbox now - should have more capacity if I did it right.

Rapscallion

[thatcrazyredhead]

For both interview, and studying, and heck putting on a fez and riding a unicycle..*raises hands*



Aah, Mytical, you make me laugh! :lol:

Xarlaxas, I am happy to be observed or interviewed as well if you still need lab rats.

[Xarlaxas]

Try your inbox now - should have more capacity if I did it right.

Rapscallion

Yup! You're a star Raps. :D

Cheers crazyredhead, you'll get a PM anon. :)

[NateTheChops]

I participated in a very similar research project ages back. Feel free to use whatever random posts you find of interest in my repertoire.

[Xarlaxas]

Just to give you guys an update:

I've finished my observations and should have my interview guide ready in the next day or so, then I'll be getting in touch with everyone who has volunteered to be interviewed to arrange times.

I'll likely prioritise the people who have the largest time-difference and then move on to the people closer to home, so when I get in touch with you could you tell me what time zone you're in please? :)

Hopefully I'll have all the interviews done by the 19th of September, but that's subject to change depending on how crazy my house gets as I'm currently surrounded by boxes and mothes, not fun!

Thanks again for letting me do this!

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Sounds good, Xarlaxas...I'll be looking for your message :)

[purplecat41877]

Great. Looking forward to it.:)

[ralerin]

Awww, looks like I came too late to the party. *pout*

[Xarlaxas]

Aw, well, if you want to be interviewed ralerin, I can add you to my list. I'm still doing the finishing touches on a few things before I start arranging the interivews. :)

[dalesys]

Xarlaxas, you realize that any statistical results of your study will be suspect?

A least squares best fit analysis of the subject population suggests that they average at least three sigmas west of strange.:p


* one sigma equals one Standard Deviate.

[Xarlaxas]

Hehehe, that is certainly true! But luckily I'm going for qualitative research rather than quantative, otherwise that would be an issue. ;)

I did really enjoy doing statistics though. . . .

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Masochist. Just as well you're doing sociology, yeah?

[Xarlaxas]

Aye, I am (a sociology student, that is ;) ), but we had to do a course on statistics too! Quantatitive research is a more "empirical" option that some sociologists use, but for that to work well you really need to have a good, random sample of about 1000 people, which is why I decided to go the qualitative route, because there's no way I could imagine myself getting a *good* statistical survey filled out by the requisite number of people.

Also, interviewing people is fun. :)

[Blade_Raver]

"My life is a chip in your pile. Time to ante up." (cookies for reference)

-Setzer, Final Fantasy 6 (or 3 USA SNES version)

Can I haz cookie nao?

Oh, someone beat me to it. Sorry.
Mods - if you wish to delete my post, feel free to do so.

[Xarlaxas]

Hey everyone!

Just to let you know, I've finished the data-gathering portion of my project, so, if you've missed being interviewed for whatever reason, don't sweat about it, and if you have a survey, feel free to send it in if you want, but I probably won't be doing follow-up questions like I had originally planned.

I'd like to give a big thank you to everyone who has taken part in my project, and to Raps and the modding team for letting me do this! :D

If everything goes to plan I should have the final draft ready in early December, and will let you all know, so people who want to have a look at it and comment are free to do so.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Excellent! Looking forward to it!
(Why yes, I do read scholarly articles and papers for fun... why d'ja ask?) ;)
:) I'd offer to help edit, but I'm bad enough at turning my own homework in.

[Kogarashi]

I'm certainly looking forward to it. :) Glad to help!

[telecom_goddess]

I did my interview it was easy and fun. I think I provided some good data :)

[Xarlaxas]

Just to let all y'all know that, after a serious case of life happening, writing has begun for my project, and, if things go to plan, I should have a finished paper long before the deadline, though not as early as I had originally hoped.

Currently writing my methodology section, then my findings, once those two sections are done I'll be sending them along to Raps as well as anyone else who asks for feedback, and I'll announce when the finished product is ready so people can get a copy of their very own should they wish. :)

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Sounds good...I was hoping for an update :) Hope you're doing OK.

[thatcrazyredhead]

I hope that things have calmed down for you and that everything is alright! I'd definitely be interested in reading the finished product. Keep us posted.

[Kristev]

I'd be interested in reading it, as well.

[telecom_goddess]

I'd be interested in reading it, as well.

same here!

[Xarlaxas]

I hope that things have calmed down for you and that everything is alright! I'd definitely be interested in reading the finished product. Keep us posted.

Aye, things are a bit quieter around the house, winter's just a baaad time of year for me!

I'm onto the Findings section now! I'm actually writing about all y'all now and am getting there, slowly but surely. . . .

[Xarlaxas]

Sorry for the double-post, but I've got another update!

Okay, I'm almost done with my findings section, on the last theme, going to finish that tonight, in the morning I will be writing my conclusion and introduction then will be sending the document to Raps, the admin of the other community, and my supervisor.

Once it has been vetted by the admins I will let the other respondents, who want to, have a peek, maybe by posting a link in this thread if people don't mind the general forum population having a look too, or I could just PM people with the link? That might be best. :)

Either way, people who are wanting to have their comments considered and mentioned in the final draft of the paper will have to get back to me ASAP as the paper is due on the 20th and I need to get it printed and bound ahead of that date, sadly.

[EricKei]

Definitely interested on all counts, still. Yer welcome to use the stuff from my interview.

[dragon_wings]

Ditto. My interview is free for any usage you need it for.

So excited! ^_^

[Xarlaxas]

First draft sent off to Raps, now I'm going to collapse into a puddle for a wee while methinks, once I hear back from him I'll start figuring out other people getting their hands on a draft to look at. :)

[SongsOfDragons]

Well done for finishing the first draft. I know exactly how that feels. ^^

[Xarlaxas]

Cheers! Being so close to finished is great, but I'm just so exhausted from the process!

Raps seems happy with the first draft, and I'm just waiting for some detailed comments from the admin of the other community and my supervisor, I'll let y'all know when the finished product is ready, but if you want to have a look at the draft and send some comments you can PM me. :)

[Kogarashi]

I look forward to seeing it. :)

[Xarlaxas]

Hey folks!

I'm done!

Just uploaded the finished version of the dissertation and will be going to get my physical copy printed and bound tomorrow.

I'm thinking, if it's alright with people, that I'll post up a link to the dissertation in the thread for people to download a copy, presuming you are all happy for the general forum population to have a copy?

I also have some friends/family who would like the chance to see the paper, but I'm not planning on releasing it to them unless y'all are okay with that. Of course, if they wanted to see it I'd make it clear that they're not to spread it around, even though I doubt you'd be identifiable to them and I'm pretty sure none of them are your bosses/co-workers. :)

[dragon_wings]

Yay! :party: Am I a geek for being so excited to read this? If so, that's cool with me.

[Xarlaxas]

Hehe, no, that makes me happy that you're excited! :D

I'm just exhausted, personally. :p

[dragon_wings]

Ooo. Get some rest. You deserve it.

[Kogarashi]

...if it's alright with people....

Well, you've got my go-ahead at least. :)

'Grats on being done!

[SuperDan]

Congratulations, and I'm just fine with you posting it publicly here.

[Mytical]

Fine with it being posted here. I've never had many secrets or anything :)

[Xarlaxas]

Awesome.

I'll just point out that I didn't use everyone I interviewed in my paper, turns out 10,000 words is nowhere enough space to write about 36 people, so I had to prioritise!

If I don't hear any complaints by Friday (official hand-in date) I'll post a link in the thread and will let a couple trustworthy people have a look at it. :)

[BeenThereDoneThat]

If you're a geek for that, d_w, then I am too :D Thanks Xarlaxas! And yes, do get some rest and do some FUN stuff for a while! BTW, just personally I don't think I would mind if you shared your paper with your family and friends. I didn't find anything personally identifiable about me, at least, so others may disagree...

[Xarlaxas]

Cheers, sadly I'm back to class tomorrow, but I'll try and have a bit of fun!

Awesome, aye, for people who have worries: I made the names of the communities in the study as generic as possible, didn't actually discuss in any detail what you talk about, and used a random username generator for the people I quoted/referred to in the paper. I also didn't quote anything I observed so people don't have anything googleable to find this place, or the other community, and I checked that myself. I take the whole confidentiality thing rather seriously! :)

[EricKei]

Awesome! I look forward to reading this thing once it's publishified ^_^

[Andara Bledin]

Awesome! I look forward to reading this thing once it's publishified ^_^
What he said. :)

^-.-^

[thatcrazyredhead]

Congratulations, Xarlaxas! I have no qualms about the general public reading the paper as it sounds like you've done your best to preserve everyone's anonymity. :) I'm excited to read it!

[Xarlaxas]

Hey all, seeing as there have been no objections, I shall post ye olde link to the dissertation for perusal by the forum public here. (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/990930/The%20Normalised%20Internet%20Self%20Identity%2C%2 0Interaction%2C%20and%20Community%20Online.pdf)

Hope you guys enjoy it and thanks again for your help. :)

[telecom_goddess]

Looking forward to reading it and it's cool knowing I was part of it :)

[Antisocial_Worker]

I tried clicking the link and all I got was a blank black screen.

My fault?

[purplecat41877]

Probably not. I got the same thing.:(

[Rapscallion]

Works fine for me - it's a PDF, so you'll need either Adobe PDF reader or similar (I use Fox-it).

Rapscallion

[Xarlaxas]

Aye, it's just a PDF, so Adobe/Foxit etc. should be able to read it, if you're still having trouble you can just right-click and save to your computer then try opening it. :)

[Sapphire Silk]

Hey all, seeing as there have been no objections, I shall post ye olde link to the dissertation for perusal by the forum public here. (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/990930/The%20Normalised%20Internet%20Self%20Identity%2C%2 0Interaction%2C%20and%20Community%20Online.pdf)

Hope you guys enjoy it and thanks again for your help. :)

Your study is very interesting, and I enjoyed reading it. Although I did not participate, I appreciate the precautions you took with protecting the respondents identities. :)

[SongsOfDragons]

I just finished reading it. That is fantastic stuff. I really hope you get a good mark - you deserve one! (this adulation brought to you by someone who's never studied sociology and thus will probably be missing many of the finer points. ^^;;)

I think I found me in it too. XD

[Xarlaxas]

Thanks a lot Panacea and SongsOfDragons! :D Aye, I really felt it important to avoid identifying information as much as possible, even though that meant I couldn't discuss stuff like signatures, avatars, etc. but I felt that was worth it.

My supervisor said that I should be proud of my work, so I guess that's a good sign, won't know for aaaaages though what my mark will be sadly, though I'll let y'all know when they come out. :)

You may have done, I actually can't remember everyone I used now and I've deleted the master-file that had all the usernames/real names/psuedonyms, so now we'll never know for sure!

I really would have liked to use everyone, but 10,000 words was really not enough to talk about everyone and everything that I had found out. I'm probably going to be hated by next year's sociology students because I put on the feedback form that the papers should be 12,000 words next time. :p

[Andara Bledin]

There's a font in there that's non-standard. I got a warning, but clicked through before really taking note of what it said.

Adobe says that acrobat files are consistent across platforms, but they're dirty rotten liars. >_<

However, in my case, it appears to be displaying fully despite the warning.

Excellent report. Nicely done all around.

^-.-^

[Xarlaxas]

Yeah, I forgot to make the PDF for distribution to respondents embed the fonts like I had to for the printers, hopefully it does end up working for everyone though!

Cheers for the good words Andara. :)

[Kogarashi]

There's a font in there that's non-standard. I got a warning, but clicked through before really taking note of what it said.

Adobe says that acrobat files are consistent across platforms, but they're dirty rotten liars. >_<

From what I've gathered, it's mostly a case of whether or not the fonts are embedded in the PDF file. Sometimes people forget, and sometimes, as is the case with a document my husband worked on once, a given font can't be embedded. Luckily, if the font's not present on the destination computer, the reader will at least substitute another font so it can be read.

Whether or not the formatting survives.... :shrug:

[fireheart]

Very nice. :D

[ihatestupidppl]

Hey Xarlaxas,

I am new to the forum, and stumbled upon this post. I think your topic of research is incredibly interesting and I am just curious how the study is going. I would be very interested in reading your results.

[Xarlaxas]

Well, I finished and handed in the paper in January, there's a post with the link somewhere in this thread.

I think I'm going to take it down in a few days though, and if people want to get a copy afterwards they can just me about it. :)