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MNHQ

Heads up: some academic research taking place

664 replies

RowanMumsnet · 30/08/2018 16:53

Hello

Some researchers from a UK university are going to be collecting posts from some boards on Mumsnet over the next few weeks. They will be looking only at posts published from this point onwards. Selected posts will be anonymised (ie usernames will not be stored anywhere), and all processes will be GDPR-compliant.

EDITED BY MNHQ: to be clear, NO private or back-end data is being shared with the researchers and they will have NO access to any extra information about users. They will only be analysing published posts, ie things that are already in the public domain.

The researchers will analyse the text of the anonymised posts as part of their study. The full text of these anonymised posts will not be reproduced in the study - no pieces of text that make you or your situation identifiable will be published.

Once the study is complete, the database containing the anonymised posts will be destroyed.

Obviously we'd love to tell you what the study is about - but we can't because it will skew the results. However once the research has been completed we'll share it with you and you can read all about it. The academics running the study are people we've worked with before, and the topic is one we think lots of MN users will agree is interesting and useful.

IMPORTANT BIT: if you DO NOT want your posts to be considered for inclusion in the research, please shout here on this thread or email us on [email protected]

And of course let us know if you have any questions and we'll see if we can answer them.

Thanks

MNHQ

OP posts:
ZeroFuchsGiven · 03/09/2018 22:29

Count me out.

BlackeyedSusan · 03/09/2018 21:34

opting out also.

MaisyPops · 03/09/2018 19:46

ItsalmostSummer
There's a difference between 'are people aware that some market researchers already use mumsnet?' and sort of posts some have done on here which is more 'I don't see the point in people opting out. It's a public forum you know'.

One is helpful. The other isn't.

PortiaCastis · 03/09/2018 19:44

If I find someone patronising and rude it's also ok for me to say so and I'm on Mn because I want to be and absolutely nobody has a right to say it's not for me, it's been for me for approx 15years.

ItsalmostSummer · 03/09/2018 19:23

@Maisypops. Sorry for the mispell.

AntiBi · 03/09/2018 19:23

I opted out but my names isn't on the list

ItsalmostSummer · 03/09/2018 19:23

Not offensive at all @Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar. I’m just saying people use this information/data all the time. And there’s no patronizing or rudeness intended at all @PortiaCastis and @Maiseypops. Some people may not realize this point. Not everyone thinks about it from that point of view. Its okay to inform and remind people that maybe Mumsnet isnt for them even on page 11. Not everyone wants to read the whole thread.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 03/09/2018 18:39

Consider what you like, ItsalmostSummer, people will continue to post regardless of what you think 🤔
Why don’t you upbraid MNHQ for offering the opt out clause in the first place, since you appear to find it offensively unnecessary ?

PortiaCastis · 03/09/2018 18:34

I also wish the patronising rudeness would cease it's not needed

MaisyPops · 03/09/2018 17:50

*eleventy even

MaisyPops · 03/09/2018 17:50

Are we going to get to page eleventh with half the replies being people saying 'i don't get people choosing to opt out' and pointing out 'mumsnet is a public forum' as if somehow that fact has escaped people.
Hmm

There has been the option to opt out.
Choose to opt out or don't.
Is there any need for endless patronising replies?

yawning801 · 03/09/2018 17:41

Err... think it might be quicker to compile a list of the people who HAVEN'T opted out! Grin

ItsalmostSummer · 03/09/2018 17:41

I don’t understand the opting out. This is a public forum. If we post here anyone can see it and use it as data.
There is no difference having a research group using the information posted here. It’s just that you are aware of it. Mumsnet HW have opened people’s eyes to this by offering an opt out/no thank you clause.
Think about it, every time you post here people use your information in some way. I would consider people not to post on Mumsnet at all, if they don’t want to be in the study. (And yeah I know some of you find that controversial).

LosingLola · 03/09/2018 15:36

I'd like to opt out please

JovialNickname · 03/09/2018 13:09

Con I opt out too please

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 03/09/2018 11:42

Here's our list so far: please shout if we've left you off

yawning801
ItsAllGoingToBeFine
SneakyGremlins
MaverickSnoopy
DoryNow
Hatstand
LuluJakey1
EastMidsGPs
PinkAvocado
seafret
electriccandlelight
ShrodingersSturdyPyjamas
luckycat007
fleshmarketclose
havingalittlebabytoolshed
SturdyEarmuffs
charliethefeminist
LumpSatAloneInABoggyMarsh
shakeyourcaboose
Mrsramsayscat
mummysparkle
Notmethistimehonest
SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires
traceyturnblatt
MsDidoTwite
EggysMom
woman11017
LEMtheoriginal
AntiBi
littlepill
graphista
user1483387154
JoyTheUnicorn
silentcrow
Shadowfax07
Pythagonal
PutYourShirtOnMartin
IdahoJones
FermatsTheorem
NameChangedAgain18
DuckingGoodPJs
BesmirchingMotherhood
fanomoninon
Amalfimamma
theaccidentaleconomist
JillCrewesmum
OvaHere
Lysistrataknowsherstuff
Kintan
Cockapoomummy
sansouci
BadderWolf
TheCatFromOuterSpace
GONNAENo
JeffreyNeedsAHobby
Cuntysnark
Haquina
Sociopathsunited
5000KallaxHoles
TheGirlOnTheLanding
Quangot
Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar
Stormyumbrella
EnidButton
MipMipMip
Voldesnort
GorgonLondon
IFartGlitter
Karyatide
GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat
LizzieMacQueen
Brizzledrizzle
NotTheWayISeeIt
Twosunbathingdogs
SassitudeandSparkle
Gingerivy
BoneyBackJefferson
ChestyNut
ChasedByBees
Anotherangel2
ClosdesMouches
FenellaMaxwellsPony
PortiaCastis
Maryzsnewaccount
PaulDacreRimsGeese
WaitrosePigeon
Toriap2
MaisyPops
Balljuggla
TheSassyAssassin
WhiskyIrnBru
Rosetintedglass
Ylvamoon
TufVoyaging
KateMcD451
Wheresthebeach
Bloodylucky
BusyBee27
Ocelot41
EddieVeddersfoxymop
Lozaa
Ohdeardeardear
TheRealHousewifeofCheshire
TheWanderlust
FrustratedTeddyLamp
Shutupandgotosleep

OP posts:
MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 03/09/2018 10:21

Thanks Freia, Yes, it's a shame that researchers who are upfront are in effect penalised, while those who just go ahead without asking aren't. As you say, though, the numbers of people opting out (and we are fine with people opting out - that's why we asked) are a small proportion of MNers, so hopefully it won't have a big impact on the study.

Someone asked if the research is to do with advertising. It isn't, the topic being studied has no commercial/revenue aspect at all. (Sorry, I do realise it's frustrating that we keep saying 'no it's not that'!)

And yes we will be sharing the study with you all once it's written up.

OP posts:
FreiasBathtub · 03/09/2018 09:59

I'm fine with this.

Honestly, this whole thing is a bit depressing though. Undoubtedly the dataset will be skewed by opt-outs (although actually it's probably a miniscule proportion of all users) so the university and MNHQ, by being open, are going to get less valid results for a piece of research in the public interest than a commercial organisation that routinely scrapes MN boards and performs content analysis to sell us crap or try to influence our opinions. Which they do. Because it works (for all those pointing out the methodological flaws in this study - it's not perfect, but that's not a reason to not do it).

I would think that after the whole Cambridge Analytica thing university ethics committees would be pretty cautious about anything involving social media, so the fact that this project got through one (along with the fact that they're not using any data not already in the public domain) suggests it's not going to be very controversial.

In answer to your question @RowanMumsnet, from an academic POV I'd say don't tell anyone in future to avoid bias in results, but I think this thread shows that you can expect a backlash if anyone happens to stumble across the study in the Journal of Obscure Content Analysis or whatever. So I guess it's your call.

Personally I think it's admirable that you informed users but somewhat quixotic. Perhaps the best approach would be to ask universities not to tell you about any work they plan to do in this way, just like the commercial organisations. Plausible deniability.

shutupandgotosleep · 03/09/2018 09:41

Keep me out of this as well please mnhq

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 03/09/2018 09:28

Morning all

Thanks for the posts. We'll go through and compile the full list so far (of people who've spoken up on this thread, not of people who've emailed us) and post it up on here so that you can double-check your name is included.

OP posts:
FrustratedTeddyLamp · 03/09/2018 06:31

Please dont use my posts

TheWanderlust · 03/09/2018 05:53

I don't want my posts to be included in the study Thankyou. As many others have said, I like the anonymity of MN and don't want my words analysed/scrutinised in anyway.

TheRealHousewifeofCheshire · 03/09/2018 03:17

No thanks. Dont want to be included in this either with this or my lrev username

Thanks

Aridane · 02/09/2018 20:56

I’m indifferent - it’s a public forum

ohdeardeardear · 02/09/2018 20:44

Please count me out, too.