Fellow academics, please help!

[jade9189]

Hi everyone,

I am currently writing my dissertation paper on mothers experiences, as a mother of two this is something I really wanted to explore. I would be so grateful if you could spare 5 minutes to answer the survey by clicking the link below.

goo.gl/forms/4zPtVKBQRYMz9gAl1

Thanks everyone.

[knitandpearl]

Not trying to be too critical but your information sheet has several typos or errors. I'd get it checked for punctuation and typos if I were you as it makes it easier to read and comprehend if I'm not mentally trying to correct it first!

[knitandpearl]

Also your thread title indicates it is for academics but there's nothing about this on your intro/ info page. Is it for all mothers or just those working in academia?

[knitandpearl]

I looked at the first question and it asks 'Mothers are pressured by the media i.e. celebrities/magazines/social media, to spend money on their children. Do you agree?'

I think it's an inescapable fact of life that children cost money. I think you need to be clearer in what you are actually asking.

The questions are either poorly/ ambiguously worded or are deliberately trying to get certain answers. Sorry OP I hope this is useful and not seen as rude but I can't stand when 'research' is done in this way so won't be completing it.

[Pishogue]

This doesn't appear to have anything to do with academics who are also mothers -- did you post this in the wrong place?

[jade9189]

Hi,
Thanks Knitandpearl for your advice, I will look over my information sheet. It is not specifically for academics no but I wanted experiences from mother's of all walks of life. I also make the statement 'mothers are pressured by the media to spend money - agree/disagree etc' as a way of finding out if mothers agree they are pressured to spend money - not that they should/shouldn't spend money on their children - rather do images like the example I gave put pressure on them to spend. They are statements with agree/disagree etc so that mothers can place themselves on the scale and I did have my supervisor check the questions. Yes they are not perfect but it is a first research paper and I have tried my best but appreciate your feedback.

[knitandpearl]

But you haven't specified what spending you mean. Food, clothes, childcare, days out, toys, cars, iPads...? What are you actually asking?

[knitandpearl]

Do I see that picture and think 'ah, better buy the organic chicken for their tea rather than fish fingers?' Nope. Are you asking if it pressures me to buy more expensive versions of things i already buy? Whether it makes me want to buy a princess costume when i wouldn't have considered it otherwise? Whether it inspires me to do more fun things with my kids regardless of cost or otherwise?

[jade9189]

I just meant in general, just as a mother do you ever see images like the example and feel pressured. I did not want to over complicate the questions - in using an image of a celebrity child's birthday party that was one example.
What I am doing with the questionnaire is then analysing the results and interviewing mothers to find out in more depth the issues mothers pointed out in the questionnaire - so if a lot of mothers put 'strongly agree' to feeling pressured I would then understand that could have multiple meanings and use that information to explore in more detail with mothers in interviews. I understand the issues you have brought up and have talked these through with my supervisor and will be writing these up in my dissertation so I know there are limitations but I have tried to take them all into consideration.