Hey Everyone!

I am a third year sociology student in Ireland and i am doing my final year dissertation on cyber communities. I was hoping if ya had a few minutes to spare you could complete the following survey. If you copy and paste the survey and fill out any of the wriiten q's and for the multiple q's just delete any of the answers until your left with the one you want! Hope that is not too complicated

You can email them back to me at Aid.lawlor@gmail.com or if you prefer post them here

Thanks a million for your time and help
-----


Survey

This survey is for a final year sociology dissertation. The purpose of the dissertation is to find out whether online communities are better then communities in the real world. This is due to its ability of reconciling the contemporary individuals need to be both unique as an individual but also as having a sense of belonging to community, as being part of a wider collective. I also want to show that the bonds that glue these societies together are reciprocity which is facilitated by the anonymity that the internet affords people. You do not have to answer any questions which you are uncomfortable with.
Thank you for your time!


General Background Information

Age:

Sex:

Location:

Profession:

Member of Fan Club since:

Total Number of Posts:

Number of Visits to the Forums per Week:







Section One
The questions in section one are related to social capital. Social capital is the network of social relations in which people are involved and it helps to create a sense of solidarity or connectedness among people. When answering these questions only draw from your experience in the real world rather then cyber world.

Do you believe that the sense of solidarity amongst people has declined?
a) Yes
b) No

Did you vote the last time you had an opportunity to?
a) Yes
b) No

Have you donated to charity in the last three months?
a) Yes
b) No

Are you actively involved in any voluntary organisations?
a) currently
b) Previously
c) Never

How many close friends do you have?
a) 1
b) 2 to 3
c) 3 plus

Do you believe that people are trust worthy?
a) Yes
b) No



Do you have trust in the news?
a) Yes
b) No

How many times a week do you go out socialising?
a) Once
b) Two to three times
c) Three plus

What do you spend most of your leisure time on?
a) Television
b) Internet
c) Sport
d) Socialising
e) Reading
f) Other

How many televisions are there in your home?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3 plus

Do you watch television everyday?
a) Yes
b) No

If so how many hours of television do you watch?
a) one to two
b) two to three
c) three plus




Do you in general watch television by yourself?
a) Yes
b) No































Section Two
The questions in this section are related to the level of individuality that the fan club provides its members with through merchandise, exclusivity, access all areas, fan 2 fan and forums. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is your individuality to you?
(On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5

Are others outside of the fan club aware of your membership? (Can have multiple answers)
a) No
b) Everyone
c) Close friends
d) Family
e) Acquaintances

Do you consider membership to the fan club as being something which contributes to your individuality?
a) Yes
b) No

Is the exclusivity (VIP, blogs, Q & A) of the fan club important to you, on a scale of one to five?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5

Do you use quotes/pictures as signatures at the end of your posts?
a) Neither
b) Quotes alone
c) Pictures alone
d) Both

How many items of merchandise have you purchased in the last year?
a) 1 to 2
b) 3 to 4
c) 5 plus

Have you created your own profile on fan 2 fan?
a) Yes
b) No

Do you use a picture of yourself/family member as your icon?
a) Yes
b) No















Section Three
Questions in this section are in relation to online anonymity and reciprocity and whether this helps people to feel less inhibited and more likely to share personal events/feeling thus creating close bonds. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is online anonymity to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5

Which of the following details would you not share with others online? (You can have multiple answers)
a) Full Name
b) Home Address
c) Email Address
d) Phone Number
e) Gender
f) Age

How comfortable do you feel when sharing personal events/feelings in real life on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5





How comfortable would you feel when sharing personal events/feelings online on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5

Have you ever disclosed personal events/feelings online that you have not shared with anyone in real life?
a) Yes
b) No

If so why is it that you feel more comfortable in disclosing these events/feelings online?
a) Non Judgemental
b) Support and advice obtained
c) Anonymous
d) Distance

Have you ever posted pictures of your family/home place?
a) Yes
b) No

Have you ever posted pictures of yourself?
a) Yes
b) No



How often to you visit forums which are not related to Darren Hayes i.e. off topic or general?
a) Every time I log in
b) Occasionally
c) Never

Do you use emoticons when posting?
a) Yes
b) No

How much do you agree with the following statement, “I feel I can be more like my true myself when I am online”
a) Very Much
b) Sometimes
c) Not at all



















Section Four
These questions are related to the sense of community which is created online and how this is achieved considering it involves no face to face communication and has no physical home. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is a sense of belonging to a community to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
e) 5

Would you classify the forums and fan club as being a community?
a) Yes
b) No

Could you elaborate, what defining features does it have that makes it fall into this category?
-----
Do you find that the fan club community is more satisfying then community in the real world?
a) Yes
b) No

If so could you elaborate, what features does it have that makes it more satisfying?
-----


Have you ever read the code of behaviour which is on the website?
a) Yes
b) No

Do you believe there is an implicit code of behaviour which is adhered to when participating in the forums?
a) Yes
b) No



If so have you ever “corrected” anyone for violating this code of behaviour?
a) Yes
b) No

Do you ever offer emotional support or advice to others online?
a) Frequently
b) Occasionally
c) Never

Have you ever received emotional support or advice from others online?
a) Yes
b) No

Have you ever written a review of a concert you have attended?
a) Yes
b) No

Have ever shared articles or pictures on the forums?
a) Yes
b) No


Have you ever offered technical advice to others online?
a) Yes
b) No

Have you ever received technical advice from others online?
a) Yes
b) No
[Edited 2/12/08 7:05am]

you could potentially get very different answers depending on which forum you posted this in.
you posted in GD so you will get GD answers but the other forums are all very unique.




p.s. who is darren hayes?

emm said:

The gay dude from Savage Garden

General Background Information

Age: 26

Sex: F

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA

Profession: student / Quality Assurance Coordinator for a local hospital and blood bank

Member of Fan Club since: 1999

Total Number of Posts: 13,830 (for this account)

Number of Visits to the Forums per Week: 24.7


Section One
Do you believe that the sense of solidarity amongst people has declined?
a) Yes

Did you vote the last time you had an opportunity to?
a) Yes

Have you donated to charity in the last three months?
a) Yes

Are you actively involved in any voluntary organisations?
a) currently

How many close friends do you have?
c) 3 plus

Do you believe that people are trust worthy?
a) Yes

Do you have trust in the news?
b) No

How many times a week do you go out socialising?
a) Once

What do you spend most of your leisure time on?
e) Reading

How many televisions are there in your home?
a) 1

Do you watch television everyday?
b) No

If so how many hours of television do you watch?
N/A

Do you in general watch television by yourself?
b) No


Section Two

How important is your individuality to you?
(On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
e) 5

Are others outside of the fan club aware of your membership? (Can have multiple answers)
c) Close friends
d) Family
e) Acquaintances

Do you consider membership to the fan club as being something which contributes to your individuality?
b) No

Is the exclusivity (VIP, blogs, Q & A) of the fan club important to you, on a scale of one to five?
e) 5

Do you use quotes/pictures as signatures at the end of your posts?
b) Quotes alone

How many items of merchandise have you purchased in the last year?
a) 1 to 2

Have you created your own profile on fan 2 fan?
b) No

Do you use a picture of yourself/family member as your icon?
b) No


Section Three

How important is online anonymity to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
c) 3

Which of the following details would you not share with others online? (You can have multiple answers)
N/A--all has been shared, 1-on-1

How comfortable do you feel when sharing personal events/feelings in real life on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
b) 2

How comfortable would you feel when sharing personal events/feelings online on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
b) 2
(was this the same question?) :-s

Have you ever disclosed personal events/feelings online that you have not shared with anyone in real life?
a) Yes

If so why is it that you feel more comfortable in disclosing these events/feelings online?
a) Non Judgemental
b) Support and advice obtained
c) Anonymous
d) Distance
(all four)

Have you ever posted pictures of your family/home place?
a) Yes

Have you ever posted pictures of yourself?
a) Yes

How often to you visit forums which are not related to Darren Hayes i.e. off topic or general?


Do you use emoticons when posting?
a) Yes

How much do you agree with the following statement, “I feel I can be more like my true myself when I am online”
b) Sometimes


Section Four

How important is a sense of belonging to a community to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
e) 5

Would you classify the forums and fan club as being a community?
a) Yes

Could you elaborate, what defining features does it have that makes it fall into this category?
(Will elaborate later tonight.)

Do you find that the fan club community is more satisfying then community in the real world?
b) No

If so could you elaborate, what features does it have that makes it more satisfying?
N/A

Have you ever read the code of behaviour which is on the website?
a) Yes

Do you believe there is an implicit code of behaviour which is adhered to when participating in the forums?
b) No

If so have you ever “corrected” anyone for violating this code of behaviour?
b) No

Do you ever offer emotional support or advice to others online?
a) Frequently

Have you ever received emotional support or advice from others online?
a) Yes

Have you ever written a review of a concert you have attended?
a) Yes

Have ever shared articles or pictures on the forums?
a) Yes

Have you ever offered technical advice to others online?
a) Yes

Have you ever received technical advice from others online?
a) Yes
[Edited 2/12/08 11:39am]

I've mailed my responses. Best wishes on your project.

FuNkeNsteiN said:

General Background Information

Age: 24

Sex: F

Location: Toronto, ON

Profession: social services

Member of Fan Club since: Jan 2007
Total Number of Posts: 1,734

Number of Visits to the Forums per Week: 20






Section One
The questions in section one are related to social capital. Social capital is the network of social relations in which people are involved and it helps to create a sense of solidarity or connectedness among people. When answering these questions only draw from your experience in the real world rather then cyber world.

Do you believe that the sense of solidarity amongst people has declined?
b) No

Did you vote the last time you had an opportunity to?

b) No

Have you donated to charity in the last three months?

b) No

Are you actively involved in any voluntary organisations?

b) Previously


How many close friends do you have?
c) 3 plus

Do you believe that people are trust worthy?

b) No



Do you have trust in the news?
b) No

How many times a week do you go out socialising?

b) Two to three times


What do you spend most of your leisure time on?

b) Internet

d) Socialising


How many televisions are there in your home?

c) 3 plus

Do you watch television everyday?

b) No

If so how many hours of television do you watch?
a) one to two
b) two to three
c) three plus




Do you in general watch television by yourself?
a) Yes
































Section Two
The questions in this section are related to the level of individuality that the fan club provides its members with through merchandise, exclusivity, access all areas, fan 2 fan and forums. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is your individuality to you?
(On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)

b) 2


Are others outside of the fan club aware of your membership? (Can have multiple answers)

d) Family


Do you consider membership to the fan club as being something which contributes to your individuality?
a) Yes


Is the exclusivity (VIP, blogs, Q & A) of the fan club important to you, on a scale of one to five?

e) 5

Do you use quotes/pictures as signatures at the end of your posts?

b) Quotes alone


How many items of merchandise have you purchased in the last year?
a) 1 to 2


Have you created your own profile on fan 2 fan?

b) No

Do you use a picture of yourself/family member as your icon?

b) No















Section Three
Questions in this section are in relation to online anonymity and reciprocity and whether this helps people to feel less inhibited and more likely to share personal events/feeling thus creating close bonds. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is online anonymity to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
a) 1


Which of the following details would you not share with others online? (You can have multiple answers)
a) Full Name
b) Home Address
c) Email Address
d) Phone Number


How comfortable do you feel when sharing personal events/feelings in real life on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)

c) 3






How comfortable would you feel when sharing personal events/feelings online on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)

b) 2


Have you ever disclosed personal events/feelings online that you have not shared with anyone in real life?
a) Yes


If so why is it that you feel more comfortable in disclosing these events/feelings online?
a) Non Judgemental
b) Support and advice obtained
c) Anonymous
d) Distance

ALL OF THE ABOVE

Have you ever posted pictures of your family/home place?

b) No

Have you ever posted pictures of yourself?

b) No



How often to you visit forums which are not related to Darren Hayes i.e. off topic or general?

b) Occasionally


Do you use emoticons when posting?
a) Yes
b

How much do you agree with the following statement, “I feel I can be more like my true myself when I am online”
a) Very Much




















Section Four
These questions are related to the sense of community which is created online and how this is achieved considering it involves no face to face communication and has no physical home. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is a sense of belonging to a community to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)

a) 1



Would you classify the forums and fan club as being a community?
a) Yes


Could you elaborate, what defining features does it have that makes it fall into this category? same interests in music, and the website has a good colour scheme which makes it user friendly.
-----
Do you find that the fan club community is more satisfying then community in the real world?
No

If so could you elaborate, what features does it have that makes it more satisfying?


-----


Have you ever read the code of behaviour which is on the website?

b) No

Do you believe there is an implicit code of behaviour which is adhered to when participating in the forums?
a) Yes




If so have you ever “corrected” anyone for violating this code of behaviour?
a) Yes


Do you ever offer emotional support or advice to others online?
a) Frequently


Have you ever received emotional support or advice from others online?
a) Yes


Have you ever written a review of a concert you have attended?
a) Yes


Have ever shared articles or pictures on the forums?

a) Yes


Have you ever offered technical advice to others online?
a) Yes


Have you ever received technical advice from others online?
a) Yes
[Edited 2/12/08 15:51pm]

General Background Information
Age: 34

Sex:female

Location:saskatchewan canada

Profession:office worker
member of Fan community since:summer '04
Total Number of Posts:8,670

Number of Visits to the Forums per Week:twice a day or so


Section One
The questions in section one are related to social capital. Social capital is the network of social relations in which people are involved and it helps to create a sense of solidarity or connectedness among people. When answering these questions only draw from your experience in the real world rather then cyber world.

Do you believe that the sense of solidarity amongst people has declined?
b) No

Did you vote the last time you had an opportunity to?
a) Yes

Have you donated to charity in the last three months?
a) Yes

Are you actively involved in any voluntary organisations?
b) Previously

How many close friends do you have?
b) 2 to 3

Do you believe that people are trust worthy?
a) Yes

Do you have trust in the news?
a) Yes

How many times a week do you go out socializing?
d) rarely

What do you spend most of your leisure time on?
b) Internet

How many televisions are there in your home?
a) 1

Do you watch television everyday?
a) Yes (most days)

If so how many hours of television do you watch?
b) two to three

Do you in general watch television by yourself?
a) Yes (lol there is no one else here)



Section Two
The questions in this section are related to the level of individuality that the fan club provides its members with through merchandise, exclusivity, access all areas, fan 2 fan and forums. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is your individuality to you?
(On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
b) 2

Are others outside of the fan club aware of your membership? (Can have multiple answers)
c) Close friends
d) Family

Do you consider membership to the fan club as being something which contributes to your individuality?
a) Yes not so much the org but the fact that i appreciate prince

Is the exclusivity (VIP, blogs, Q & A) of the fan club important to you, on a scale of one to five?
a) 1 as in not important

Do you use quotes/pictures as signatures at the end of your posts?
b) Quotes alone (it's more a place to link to other stuff rather than place to make a statement for me anyway)

How many items of merchandise have you purchased in the last year?
d)zero unless you mean prince albums then that would be one

Have you created your own profile on fan 2 fan?
b) No i don't know what fan 2 fan is but i have a member profile here

Do you use a picture of yourself/family member as your icon?
b) No


Section Three
Questions in this section are in relation to online anonymity and reciprocity and whether this helps people to feel less inhibited and more likely to share personal events/feeling thus creating close bonds. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is online anonymity to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
b) 2

Which of the following details would you not share with others online? (You can have multiple answers)
a) Full Name
b) Home Address
c) Email Address
d) Phone Number (at least publicly... people i know from here privately know all those details)

How comfortable do you feel when sharing personal events/feelings in real life on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
b) 2

How comfortable would you feel when sharing personal events/feelings online on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
c) 3

Have you ever disclosed personal events/feelings online that you have not shared with anyone in real life?
b) No i don't think so...

If so why is it that you feel more comfortable in disclosing these events/feelings online?
a) Non Judgemental
b) Support and advice obtained
c) Anonymous
d) Distance

Have you ever posted pictures of your family/home place?
a) Yes

Have you ever posted pictures of yourself?
a) Yes

How often to you visit forums which are not related to Prince i.e. off topic or general?
a) Every time I log in

Do you use emoticons when posting?
a) Yes

How much do you agree with the following statement, “I feel I can be more like my true myself when I am online”
b) Sometimes (i'd like to think i'm always my true self but perhaps the community is just an extra outlet)


Section Four
These questions are related to the sense of community which is created online and how this is achieved considering it involves no face to face communication and has no physical home. In answering these questions refer to your experiences within the fan club.

How important is a sense of belonging to a community to you on a scale of one to five? (On a scale of one to five, one being very and five being not at all)
c) 3

Would you classify the forums and fan club as being a community?
a) Yes

Could you elaborate, what defining features does it have that makes it fall into this category?
-----people you recognize, people you get to know, people you get to care about.

Do you find that the fan club community is more satisfying then community in the real world?
a) Yes

If so could you elaborate, what features does it have that makes it more satisfying?
-----friends have commitments, family... but this place is always there when you need it. to entertain. to debate. to distract. here there is a wide range of personalities.

Have you ever read the code of behaviour which is on the website?
a) Yes

Do you believe there is an implicit code of behaviour which is adhered to when participating in the forums?
a) Yes

If so have you ever “corrected” anyone for violating this code of behaviour?
a) Yes

Do you ever offer emotional support or advice to others online?
b) Occasionally

Have you ever received emotional support or advice from others online?
a) Yes

Have you ever written a review of a concert you have attended?
b) No

Have ever shared articles or pictures on the forums?
a) Yes lol but not anything related to prince

Have you ever offered technical advice to others online?
b) No

Have you ever received technical advice from others online?
a) Yes

Hey!
Thanks everyone for the taking the time to fill out survey! very much appreciated. Sorry for the Darren Hayes slip up Still love him though

perhaps if it was on the front page again you would get some more replies...