academic research on fandom

[rm]

There is a survey about fanfiction that some academics are doing here: http://fanficsurvey.appspot.com

I initially quipped that Torchwood peeps should answer this and said, "you'll be annoyed by some of the questions, but I think we'll also skew the data awesomely."

But then....

ETA: this account of convo with the researchers is of interest -- http://eruthros.dreamwidth.org/273840.html

Comment thread discussion of interest: http://ogi-ogas.livejournal.com/681.html

Unlike others, I don't necessarily have a problem with outsiders studying fandom, although their agenda is another matter entirely.

ETA2: Their responses to me and others in the comment thread linked above are unacceptable. They repeatedly invalidate their own shoddy methodology, they are condescending and rude to people who they claim aren't speaking clearly when those people are academics in relevant fields and the confusion seems to stem from the researchers not knowing the meaning of "canon" or queer" and there's evidence to suggest this is a non-academic study by academics for some mass-market book on romance or something (which means they've been misrepresenting their purposes). They don't know what slash means, they don't believe in the idea of non-straight women writing it and don't seem to understand the idea that many canons contain queer texts.

LIVID LIVID LIVID. DO NOT TAKE THIS SURVEY.

The survey is a disaster for a number of reasons (many of which I noticed while taking it, many more of which showed up in the discussion above). Very much worth reading and adding to the comments.

Thanks to telesilla for the headsup.

Comments

[rednwhiterose.livejournal.com]

I'm all about skewing data...or screwing Data as the case maybe.

Wahh wahh wahh....

:0)

[requiella]

Which fictional character do you think could be your ideal mate?

I only get to pick one? No fair!

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

I gave three answers.

[marcmagus]

Is that ad intending to suggest that Buffy eroticizes Mr. Pointy? Or am I misreading it (and perhaps revealing a bit too much about my own psyche)?

[telesilla.livejournal.com]

You might want to read this conversation someone had with the people doing the survey>.

[gement.livejournal.com]

Yeaaaah, I answered "I reject the premise but here's my response to what I think you're asking" nearly as often as they gave me a write-in box. It was fun!

[rm.livejournal.com]

post updated accordingly. thanks!

[kireishojo.livejournal.com]

I have an ideal non fictional mate and i put that.

[britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

*looks at survey*

Damn. Um. Even *I* can tell that's a skewed survey and I'm Ms. Oblivious (sixth year running, why am I not on a Wheaties box, yet?).

Took it anyways, but used fill-in-the-blank/refuse-to-answer when and where I could.

[cpolk.livejournal.com]

THIS STUPID SURVEY HAS STUPID ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE STUPID.

*snarls* i'm having fun! take that, statisticians!

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I always enjoy ruining statistics when it comes to underlying assumptions about my reality.
It does not apply or comply.

So far.

Problematic survey in the extreme.

[smirnoffmule.livejournal.com]

Call me a bigot if you will, but the fact that someone is fictional really puts me right off from the outset.

I wanted to answer I'M NOT A SNAPE WIFE (especially given their use of "could") but I didn't think they'd get the reference.

[tacittype.livejournal.com]

I took the survey last night before I saw the wankstorm, regretted it, and told them I withdrew my consent for my answers to be used. Last night when I wanted to check on a question number to give them feedback (http://ogi-ogas.livejournal.com/681.html?thread=681#t681) on why it was inappropriate the survey showed as completed; now it shows as blank. So - it does seem that they've removed my answers.

It looks like it works when you withdraw consent. I suggest you all do so, if you haven't already.

[lyorn.livejournal.com]

Oh damn, I love surveys and now I'm battling with temptation.

Is there a way to see the questions/tickyboxes without taking the survey?

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

I read the comments, and their comments to you, and yes, livid is the right word. These are scary people. Thanks for the headsup!

[smirnoffmule.livejournal.com]

You can just click "submit" without filling anything in, and it'll take you to the next question.

[dvanulya.livejournal.com]

What an appalling pile of excrement.

These clowns don't seem to be doing anything that would pass must as "academic" work anywhere. However, they ARE touting their affiliation with a well-known university. I wonder how they will react to their name being included in this bullshit?

Thanks for the warning/information.

[ravenskye8.livejournal.com]

I said the exact same thing! Wait - only one? I guess if I have to really choose - here's two... One girl and one boy... :)

[gement.livejournal.com]

I have written to Boston U's IRB and to the publisher of their upcoming book. Eruthros from your link above says I'm not the only one and suggests we keep it down to a dull roar until we find out if they respond to the first complaints. But I just wanted to note here that I have done so in case people wanted to make sure it had been done.

[elf]

This post has been included in a linkspam roundup.

[eve11]

As a statistician, I've got to say, they're not statisticians! We take our research methodology very seriously :)