Heads up: some academic research taking place

[RowanMumsnet]

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

@c8

I read that initial reply as ‘yes I agree that there has been some expensive funding for some ridiculous research, now reading your reply to that comment. I wondering if they meant it in throwing shade.

I’m going to research my own level of nativity & guilablness and not post the results

@RosiesYellowDress, surely, you mean www.researchgate.net/

Yes @lweji.

I found a research paper online from scholar that quoted something back in 2008

..... Previous research using Mumsnet has noted that the website was a 'friendly non-judgemental space

😂

I’m going to research my own level of nativity

You're not sure whether you've been born?
I can confirm that you have. :)

'friendly non-judgemental space

Maybe compared to others.
I remember the term vipers applied from before 2008.

Weren't we accused of being vipers by some journo (male) who'd come on here and been ripped to shit? I have some vague recollection of it. I have been proud and pleased to be a viper ever since. Rather like "Louis Walsh is, for instance, a twat" - one of those things.....

I want to know what its about now. Trans issues maybe? I am happy to be included anyway.

MNHQ have explicitly said that it’s not trans related. I’m baffled why anyone imagines for a moment that they’d willingly cooperate with research on that topic.

😂 @GladAllOver I got Xmas on mind already

I just read something about the nest of vipers, at least they was impressed with how well informed you vipers was.

There are loads of research papers which have used mumsnet some boring, some interesting as to some with permission and some not.

If its about people having sex in hedges or gifted and talented children they should get loads of data

@counch you don’t need to volunteer just dig around internet & read documents that have covered that topic without your knowledge obviously they don't quote usernames.

Imagine if this thread and its responses are the research...

AllAtHome I thought the same thing. I’m not bothered any which way!

@AllAtHome. You can’t leave your post there you have to conclude some wild conspiracy theory.

I’m hedging my bets the research is posts on the ugly sofa thread, have not hatched a reason why yet.

Haha! I think it may be something like 'the change in attitudes towards online privacy and trends on social media post GDPR and recent privacy scandals'!

But I know nothing

Ahem...
Way ahead of you.

Lweji Tue 04-Sep-18 14:12:07
This thread alone would make an interesting case study.

Meh that’s disappointing if that’s the case, they could save themselves valuable research time, just copy the likes of ofcom research report and change a few words here and there.

Sorry @Lweji! You were definitely first!

You're lucky they asked! I know a lot of academic researchers who use Internet message boards without consulting anyone. It's approved by ethics because it's in the public domain anyway.

Ok I have another question

Being as the researchers are going to be collecting data across the boards, shouldn’t this be mentioned on those boards or on the main page so those that wish to op out of giving consent can do so.

As this is a sub thread, which unless comes up as in most active or people seek out then they will not be aware.

I haven’t finished reading ethics section on data collection for research.... it does waffle on

But if they post on the specific threads they're giving the game away that that's the area they're interested in, which will change how people post. The whole point of analysis like this is that it's people's 'natural' way of posting.

@BIWI

I know the whole point, I did read MN post my question is more why give heads up to people in a sub thread forum that only comes up in active or if people particular go to that area of site. So in my opinion which is based on my years of coming here, it’s not really giving poster opportunity or to be made aware. So why not post it on main page?

Yes I know it’s ironic given that research is done by various sources without requesting permission and it is public forum for all to see.

I learnt very harsh lesson in early days when it was dial up Internet, there is no such thing as being anonymous online, if someone wants your data, publish all your secrets, steal your identity and commit fraud they will.

TBH I really that not invested, I am here because I need a temporary distraction.

But what do you mean by 'main page'? This is in a stickied post which means it always comes up towards the top of Active Conversations - can't see how it could be more 'main page' than that!

MNHQ might as well add a disclaimer whenever we post for those naive enough to think that public posts are not read, analysed or copied by anyone, from partners to newspapers, market analysts and researchers.

Wake up people.

I really don't know the reasons for this thread, but either MNHQ woke up on the silly side of the bed, or the thread is indeed the subject of the study.

@BIWI

I have nothing of value to say, I’m just rambling shit.