I like your idea, but I think you really should talk to your teacher about your proposed paper.

I used to teach college students and I used to require research papers. I started thinking about how I would have dealt with your paper with its thesis that "Some people derive some emotional or social support from their activities on Mudcat. Some people experience catharsis by talking in the forum." I assumed the paper would have no problems with mechanics and style and would be well documented with quotes from Mudcat participants. I realized that my reaction as teacher would be, "And?"

I think you should find out if your teacher has methodolgical problems with your proposed paper. The post with which you began the thread could be read as a request that only people who agree with you respond. Your teacher might have issues with the results of such a survey.

You need to find out what kinds of numbers, if any, the teacher wants to see. Suppose, for example, you report that you got 33 positive responses. Would your teacher want those numbers put into a context? How many people participate in the Mudcat formum? What percentage responded to your posting? How many were in agreement? How man disagreed? etc. etc.

Does your teacher want to you simply report your findings or does the teacher want you to draw conclusions, speculate about their significance?

My point is that if the teacher wants the paper done in a certain way it is better to know before hand.