Posted by Wittgensteinz on November 8, 2008, at 18:04:04
In reply to I just don't get all the upset., posted by seldomseen on November 8, 2008, at 17:25:50
Seldom,
I think the problem is that the lack of information leads peoples' minds to wander...
For example, within the realms of us not being a part of the experiment, the study could bring in 230 people intolerant and/or negative toward those with mental illness, to see whether the experience of taking part in an on-line community changes their view of the mentally ill. Or it could be that these 230 are being paid to take part in this community and that the dynamics could drastically change when there is a sudden influx of members and then after the study-period, all these seemingly new supportive members suddenly disappear. I think we do become attached to those who post here - if someone posted avidly for 6 months and then just stopped it can bring some sadness - now imagine the impact of this potentially happening with 230. Likewise the presence of the normal members and the 'participant members' could lead to a divide in the community - two groups with each its own identity of sorts. People might decide not to respond to threads started by 'the other group' etc. If those taking part in the study know, for example, that all those in the study have some things in common e.g. all in therapy for the first time, they might feel safer engaging with others who claim to be in the study and not those who came to the forum for other reasons.
These are just hypothetical situations (and perhaps rather far-fetched) to illustrate the point that the study might well have an impact on us despite our not actually being participants.
Witti
poster:Wittgensteinz
thread:861412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081003/msgs/861599.html