Posted by Racer on November 9, 2008, at 0:04:42
In reply to Re: Research project » Zeba, posted by twinleaf on November 8, 2008, at 22:32:29
> It would not be difficult for him to give us a brief, accurate statement of what the research project is about, and what the role of the large number of new posters is going to be- undoubtedly, it cannot be the same as ours has been,
I don't know that I can agree. From Dr Bob's wording -- and I'm with 10der, I think he is very, very careful with every single word -- I'm not sure he can tell us more. He didn't say that *he* was doing research, so it may be someone else's project. He may not have their permission to disclose more.And even if he could tell us more, someone else has already pointed out that disclosing more information would introduce bias into the study, and invalidate the results. Either our behavior would change, or the participants' behavior would change -- either way, the results would lose some of their resonance.
He's said that the people who may come here would be the participants in the study, and I trust Dr Bob not to lie to us. I think if he meant that researchers would be coming here, he's have said that, so I think the people who may come here really are the ones being studied. Since this community exists in a certain form, I can't believe that there is any intent to disrupt the established patterns.
Obviously, I don't post as often as I used to, and I am much more selective in what I say -- after a painful experience left me feeling more than a bit alienated, but that's a different story. Nonetheless, I've been at Babble since 1997, and I do feel connected to it and to many people here. I'm kinda excited by this, and I hope something good comes of it. In fact, I'm kinda excited that there will be new stories on the boards, new names, and maybe more activity.
Who knows? Maybe some of the participants who do show up will decide to stick around and enrich our community? I'd like to think that is a possibility.
Peace.
poster:Racer
thread:861412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081003/msgs/861696.html