Help: Not Music. Research Paper

Subject: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:23 PM

I need to write a research paper for my Counseling Psychology class (Due late November).

My teacher (the best I've had so far at the college level) said to write on something we really care about that is related to psychology.

I really care about the Mudcat. I think I might be able to find some things about the Mudcat that can be related to psychological issues. Maybe some people derive some emotional or social support from their activities here. Maybe some people experience catharsis by talking in the forum, or in personal messages with other members, about things that have emotional significance for them.

My first question would be, do you think I have a valid subject for a paper?

Second question...would you be willing to tell me if you are helped emotionally or psychologically in any way by your activities in the Mudcat? I would not use any names or personal information. I would only use the opinions given to me voluntarily by people who are fully awary of what I am doing. You can tell me in a PM if you don't want to discuss it in the forum.

My other challenge, and I think it might be a big one, would be to find a way to link what I get here with stuff that is already published by experts in the field of psychology. I can use the 'net for this, but I'm a terrible beginner at doing searches, and I'm very ineffective at it. If anyone has any ideas about where I should look, and what terms would be good to use to initiate my searches, I would be grateful.

Thanks,

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:30 PM

1) Its a great subject.

2) I'm having an orgasm even as I type.

3) They'll think we're complete neurotics and be right.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:43 PM

So, Spaw...does that mean you're going to help?

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: rabbitrunning
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:47 PM

Get thee now to your local library and seek out the librarian who is willing to overload you with information. Early in the morning is a good time as it will be past coffee and before the homework rush. Make sure you ask for periodicals articles in something like Infotrac -- any serious expert is going to be publishing in journals, not just (or even!) on the Web. And if your library (at school or the public library) is using the Library of Congress Classification scheme, browse in the BF's, the HQ's, and the early R's. Possibly in the TL's (I think) for the Internet. You may find the librarian who is the computer wonk who loves search engines and can help you on that end, too. The terms you find in Infotrac will help you with searching the Web, btw...

Is it just the 'net searching you feel like a tyro at, or research in general? You know my college didn't even offer a decent "how to do research" course until you were an upperclassman...

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:50 PM

Sure....You going to do a questionaire or what?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:53 PM

rabbitrunning,

I miss card catalogues!

I'm better at library research than I am at internet research, but I'm not excellent at either one. I'll have to use the school library for this, and it's mediocre at best.

Thanks for the info.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 12:00 AM

Spaw,

I guess if I put my question formally, it would be:

Do you feel that you are helped in any way, either emotionally, or psychologically, by your activities in the Mudcat?

Feel free to elaborate if you want.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: rabbitrunning
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 12:03 AM

I used to miss card catalogs, but I sure don't miss filing the cards! Of course, with databases, no one's coming along behind you to make sure that you spelled everything correctly. Now, though, I'm hooked on keyword searching, and you'll pry my fingers off the terminal keyboard with a large crowbar...

Your local public library (or a quiet branch) may have access to more resources than you realize, and the librarians may have more time to help you with understanding the various electronic resources. I'm in one of the smallest branches of the Boston Public Library, but with our Internet connection, I've got access to a broad variety of sources that the city or state have paid for but can only be accessed from library machines.

And with Inter Library Loan and Fax machines, even obscure journals are getting to be more accessible.

What I find, an awful lot of time, is that people come into the library and wander around frustrated because they don't want to "bother" me. The best part of my day is helping people find the information that they're actually seeking!

A quickie read that might give you some fun insights is "The Victorian Internet" about the establishment of the telegraphs and what that did. Can't think of the author this late at night. Yikes! It's bedtime!

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 12:09 AM

Check with WyoWoman, I think she has some data or access to it.

I'd love to help but writing time is pretty committed now. Be glad to talk on the phone though if you want to PM me your number. If you go see www.rc.org you will see the discipline I'd be coming from. Also the pastoral care angle. If these fit your interest, let me know.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Allan C.
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 12:10 AM

When I first came to the Mudcat in 1998, I had hardly even picked up my guitar for nearly ten years. After slightly more than a year on the Mudcat, I made the statement in my post to the Brief Biography thread that "I am starting to think that maybe I will get out and do a coffeehouse gig or something soon. We shall see." In December that year I made the first stage performance I had done in nearly twenty years. It was only for two songs; but it was an important new beginning for me. I had never heard the songs before that year. I had learned both songs by way of the Mudcat. In April of the this year I joined with a friend to do a half-hour show. A little more than a month later I made a road trip covering thousands of miles with another Mudcatter (Bill Sables, an Englishman whom I would not have known but for the Mudcat,) during which we each played for as well as with small groups of Mudcatters and made one coffehouse performance and one large stage performance. We met with as many as 75 other Mudcatters during that adventure. Later, we performed on the Mudcat Radio Show before a huge, international cyber audience. Just last weekend I performed before a crowd at the Getaway.

The point is that the Mudcat, (which is to say the people who are the Mudcat,) has given me the self-confidence and assurance to do all of those things. There is no way to convey the level of trepidation I had developed about the possibility of performing. It had at one time been doubtful that I would ever redevelop the courage to share my music with any more than the few friends who graced my livingroom from time to time. I have the Mudcat to thank for so much that has happened since May of 1998.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 12:30 AM

Carol, I have a knack for searching on the web. If you go to this page, on google, one of my favourite search engines, you will find several links to what looks like good information for you. I just typed in the words "counseling psychology" and hit "search."

I have definitely been helped emotionally and psychologically by the wonderful community we have here. I don't have time to write up much right now and would rather do it in a PM. How soon do you need this stuff? The next few days are going to be pretty busy for me.

I would think just the psychological impact of HearMe and also being able to connect with people from all over the world, almost instantly, who share a common love of folk music might narrow it down and be a good bit to write on, eh?

One major plus for me, and even for my family who are "vicarious Mudcatters," is the wonder never stops. Each time I get on here there is some new thing to learn, discuss, discover. I often shake my head in awe at something someone has said, done, or told us about.

The important thing is it has become quite literally a community in that we share and care and go beyond just the love of music, helping one another through tough times and sharing in each other's joys and triumphs. So amny gatherings in the 3D world have come about because of this. It really is incredible.

Let me know if you need more pointers on web searching...it really is a specialty of mine.

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 08:02 AM

My daughter is reading psychology at university as I did , some years ago now. My understanding is that little has yet been published on the psychological impact of the internet....but it would make a great thesis. I wonder if you are making your field too narrow by focussing on the Mudcat though? I would be tempted to look at on-line counselling services, ICQ etc. as well. Have you discussed this with your tutor? I would of course, be happy to help in anyway I can and might even ( if the brain doesn't fail me entirely) be able to dredge up links to other theories, research etc.I would need to know where you are coming from though....social, psych-social,cognitive, physiological, what??

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: L R Mole
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 10:53 AM

Yeah. During a time of not even high tragedy but only a sort of vicious loneliness, this has been a cyber-hearth of quiet good humor for me. Even those not tempest-tossed need to get out the the rain now and then, and I love the rain.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 11:20 AM

Some links
Some more links
Even more links, and a search function
INFOMINE - "Scholarly Intenet Resource Collections"
Somebody else's study, with an e-mail address.
Links to on-line medical journals. Some of these work. Others, such as The American Journal of Psychiatry, you have to search for a bit.

Your paper would be mainly subjective without a study of some sort, and I think the subject fits more in sociology than psychiatry, but there are some great possibilities. I also have no idea what your actual assignment is - how detailed, how objective, etc. I think you may have problems citing sources since (I believe) little has been done to study human behavior on the internet.

I think there's been too much emphasis on the negatives of the internet, and almost none on the positives. Acedemics still eye it with suspiscion, and communities and relationships are viewed as "not real" because they don't involve physical contact. Take for instance someone who's physically isolated from others. The internet is one way they can interract with other humans, but they're (we're) bombarded with propaganda about internet addiction and admonitions to "get a life." While I'm sure there are people for whom the internet is destructive, there are far more who have found a community and new friends here. I haven't seen or heard anything about the positives. Oh well...all that and what I'm really saying is you've picked a good subject.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST,Mary in Kentucky
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 11:34 AM

Hi Carol,

I'm currently helping my son do Internet Reasearch for a pharmacy class, so I can easily check out several of the places I've found that make searching easier. I'll PM you some of my thoughts about Mudcat (later). Also, pay attention in your journal searching to the names you see quoted. There is a Science Citation Index which lets you work backwards from a name to find other articles by that person. Many times you can identify the "biggies" (people and/or summary articles) in a field that might be unfamiliar to you, thus saving a lot of repetition and covering the same ground.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 06:24 PM

Thanks everybody. This stuff is great.

I'm being somewhat general in the subject of my paper because the internet is such a new phenomenon. I think that will help me to be able to link my paper to existing literature.

My focus is simply whether or not the internet can be/is being used as a way for people to get emotional and/or psychological needs met, what kinds of needs are being met, and in what ways this is being done. This is particularly relevant in the class I'm taking because a subject that comes up repeatedly in class is the lack of funding for people to recieve adequate mental health care.

I have decided to focus on the Mudcat for two reasons. The first is because I am familiar with it, and I have experienced the benefits of it myself. The second is because I'm still new to the internet, and I find it to be somewhat overwhelming a lot of the time. So a narrow focus in that respect is a good thing for me right now.

I greatly appreciate the help with the research resources. I also am extremely grateful to everyone who is willing to share their perspective about whether or not the Mudcat has helped them personally.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 06:34 PM

Yes, Yes, and I'm willing. Will PM with specifics. Great idea!! And I agree with all of the above..........what they said.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Greyeyes
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 06:39 PM

No mention of how addictive this place is. Someone needs to research that quickly, I think I need help.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Helen
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 06:51 PM

Hi CarolC,

PM me and I'll give you a brief overview of how Mudcatters helped me when I was experiencing deep work-related stress & trauma over the period of about a year. I also foudn that when I was working in a very socially isolating job I could make & keep some wonderful Mudcat & other internet site friendships which made me feel that I was in a social group rather than being totally alone.

A couple of years ago I found a review of a book about two female scientists - one located at the Arctic, and the other at the Antarctic, I think - who met on the 'net and became good friends through e-mail. They didn't meet until years afterwards. They published a lot of their e-mail correspondence. I might be able to find it in a search. I'll let you know.

How long is this project in terms of time & words? It makes a difference to how much research you should do - short project, too much research, too much stuff in your head to analyse, too much stuff to organise & write, not enough time to do it - kapow! CarolC in deep stress state needing lots of Mudcat TLC, CarolC becomes subject of own research (grin).

You also need to narrow your focus considerably if it is only a relatively short project (time/words). Or, you could do a broad overview with less depth if it is short - e.g. a broad categorisation and analysis of the types of personal, psychological, social, emotional, mental, intellectual etc support which we get from the Mudcat.

Helen

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 08:51 PM

Sorcha, that would be great.

Greyeyes, repeat after me..."Mudcat addiction is my friend..." (Keep saying it, over and over, until you feel better.)

Helen - the last bit. A broad overview with less depth. About ten pages. You would be amazed at how much paper I can squeeze out of a very little bit of information. I once wrote an English paper that tracked the theme of fate, versus choice, versus chance comparing the movie Forrest Gump, and the plays, Oedipus Rex, and Death of a Salesman. The teacher didn't think I would be able to pull it off. I admit, I did a lot of sweating with that one, but I got an A. Will send a PM.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 09:00 PM

1. yes
2. yes
3. no idea.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 10:15 PM

RE: Psychological Needs

There is a sociological part to our psychological makeup that forces most of us to seek out a place and people to share our feelings. Within a lifetime we make a differing number of friends that we can discuss things with that matter to us. Our innermost stresses and strifes can often be held in check, but at one point or another, to maintain any semblance of sanity, those feelings must be released. Over my time here I have seen many people bring their problems here because they can.

When you read any thread you find a marked difference of viewpoints on every subject but they all share a common trait (except in a few obvious cases). The trait is an above average degree of intelligence coupled with experience and common sense. That is an unusual combination to find and to find so many with it in one place is, I think, unusual.

So we bring our lives here to share. We laugh, cry, complain, scream, worry. We express all those things which bring us both joy and sorrow. We do it with the expectation, generally fulfilled, that this group will bring new vision to our problems and added euphoria to our happiness. In the 3-D world, where can anyone go to find this large a contingent of intelligent people with differing views and have these human needs met so quickly.

When I was hospitalized a year and a half ago, Karen was in very tough emotional shape, understandable if you believe that your husband is unexpectedly about to die. One note to one 'Catter changed all that. She had fine, close, friends and relatives surrounding her, but the first thing she told me when I was able to listen, was of the support she got from a group of people that neither of us had ever even seen pictures of. Mudcat was at a higher level of importance to her than anything else and her psychological well being was maintained through the printed voices of friends unmet.

That's my 2 cents Carol....Hope it helps, but good luck with your paper in any case!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Max Tone
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 10:53 PM

I came down, sleepless, at 3am, to post a moaning HELP thread on how to stop hating -- (my ex's new husband, who tried to murder me - he failed, or I wouldn't be posting this!) I have to face the violent b*stard tomorrow, when I pick up my kids for my fortightly contact, hence the ingestion of Gin
Each time I go to post anything, I get lost in catching up with past threads I'm interested in, and soon lose my angst, and forget why I logged on, so it works!
Global therapy does the trick.
Just try the recent "I need a hug" thread - sorry, Internet Exploder cut me off, AGAIN, an' I ain't goin' back online just to find a URL

I'm sure there are many other chat rooms where the healing is just as good, but few where we all have a common interest.
As Taj Mahal wrote " Music keeps me together"
Good luck with your project.
Love, Rob

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 08:51 PM

Jon Freeman, Spaw, and Max Tone, I really appreciate your contributions.

Thanks,

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: bbc
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 09:39 PM

Hi, Carol,

Here's my two cent's worth--After the Columbine school shootings, my son was profiled in our area as being a student who might be a danger to his classmates. It was based on fears, rumors, scapegoating, & an association w/ a friend who had a record of some violent behavior. In my son's case (& his friend's, incidentally), there was no basis in reality. Nonetheless, the principal, assistant principal, & guidance counsellor were pulling him out of classes to speak w/ him & all the kids in school were talking about him. When I realized this, I acted on his behalf. One of the helpful things I did was start a Mudcat thread about Columbine backlash. Not only did I get support to back-up my child, but I got ideas & information as to how to go about it. I also found out that this was happening in various parts of the country. When I marched into the principal's office, I went not only w/ my fiance & former husband flanking me, but armed w/ the love & prayers of countless Mudcatters in various states & countries. I spoke w/ confidence & the principal (who had started the meeting as if she was in charge) quickly backed down. In a short time, we were talking about how the school officials were going to focus on locating the boys who were spreading the rumors about my son, instead of targeting him! Within a couple of days, they had located 2 boys who had a grudge against my son & his friend & the situation started to turn around. Although I would do almost anything to protect my children, the support I got through Mudcat really strengthened me.

This incident was the most dramatic for me, but Mudcat has encouraged, enlightened, & amused me many times. An international community, such as Mudcat, has various strengths to offer. For one things, because of different time zones, someone is always awake & available to respond. Understanding is promoted, as we realize that, although we have differences, we have much in common, as well. Just to realize that we *have* differences is helpful! Many folks don't travel much & don't have occasion to realize, in their *real* lives, how other folks live. Mudcat broadens our life experience.

I've also made some true friends through Mudcat. I've opened my home to Mudcatters I'd never met in person & had only good experiences. I've found that the way they portrayed themselves on Mudcat was the way they actually are & that, when we met in person, it was like continuing the conversation we had already started online in mid-sentence. I could go on & on. I think the Internet's strongest quality is the ability to bring people together. Hope this is helpful; let me know if there is anything else I can do.

best from bbc (Barbara in NY)

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: paddymac
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 03:26 AM

Carol - maybe the first section of your paper ought to be on the way in which our cyber-family responded to your request. The beauty of the net is that when you communicate with another person, you are forced to do so strictly on the basis of their writen words. We (fortunately, I think) lack all the other sensory clues that we normally use, consciously or not, to form opinions about other people and evaluate what they have to say, often before they even say it. Here, we are forced to respond to the content of the thought. That forces each of us to become more critical (evaluatory, not condemnatory) of both sides of a communication.

To be sure, there are devious people in cyber-land who use what I see as cyber-strengths to deceive. One of the special beauties of the 'cat is that there are so many people with a sharp cyber-nose to sniff-out and expose such people. No place, and no person, is perfect, but I believe the collective "we" at Mudcat come closer to the ideals of honesty and integrity than most other places, virtual or 3D.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 03:01 PM

The thing I like about HERE is that people are helpful, which gives one the urge to be helpful.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Bernard
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 04:36 PM

May I suggest you look at the 'Llanstock' postings?

Post Llanstock

Llanstock Memories II

We were all amazed at how well we already knew each other, and didn't need to waste time with formalities before getting on with enjoying ourselves.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Helen
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 07:27 PM

Carol,

I was going to PM you but I'm a bit pushed for time, so if I do it here I won't procrastinate, but I'll keep it short & simple.

From April '99 to Late June this year I was the victim of workplace bullying: cold, mercilees, calculating and manipulative bullying. I was caught up in it because I was trying to see the good in this boss, and thinking that if I just did my job better, and figured out how to communicate with him better we would start making some positive progress. He was thinking (IMHO) if I keep pushing this woman to the limit she's going to break & I'll get my jollies, get rid of her and then move on to the next victim.

Reegardless of how stressed, how low my health and emotional wellbeing was, how much I thought I was going to break into tiny pieces there were two emotional/social contacts which kept me going: my fiance (now hubby) and the Mudcatters. I kept checking in here every day, reading threads, not responding much but just sitting here feeling a part of this community.

The big thing to remember about bullying is that the people around you, especially the people who are working in the same workplace, often don't want to know about what is happening to you. Many in the workplace are afraid that they might be next if they are seen to be siding with the victim. It was the most isolating & scary human experience I have ever been through.

Here is a quote I found about the people who stand by and let it happen:

"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."

Haile Selassie

Finally, one morning I was sitting here feeling disconnected from everything, but reading the Mudcat thread titles and I realised that I was studiously avoiding any of the fun threads. A revelation hit me: I had lost my sense of humour. So, I posted a new thread entitled "Help, I've lost my sense of humour" requesting jokes & funny songs, maybe about clever revenge etc, to make me feel better. I started it off by referring to the Philadelphia Lawyer song.

Well, most people took it in the vein in which it was intended and came out with the funniest, silliest, sickest jokes that they could think of. Gradually I started to unfreeze from my sense of disconnectedness from other people. So, as I was starting to fight back against my tormenter I was being buoyed up by a bunch of people, the majority of whom I may never meet in person, but who helped me much much more than the people I had thought were friends who live closer to me here in Oz.

If it hadn't been for Mudcat and this sense of a loving sharing community I would probably still be trying to find my feet emotionally.

Now I have found many websites set up by other victims of bullying and I am also a member of an international e-group list. We help each other out just by talking about it and we each understand what the others have been through. So the internet has given me that bonus as well.

I could go on & on, but that's enough now. I'm sure you get the picture, but believe me that the intensity of the experiences I went through for over a year were the worst I have ever experienced and the help I got from coming to Mudcat was the best.

Helen

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 10:23 PM

bbc, paddymac, CraigS, Bernard, and Helen, thanks so much for your contributions.

There is a beautiful kind of perfection to the variety of contributions that all of you have made. Everyone has described something very unique that he or she has gotten out of this Mudcat experience. I think that the material you all have given me will make it possible for me to write a very interesting paper.

And the help with the research end of it is no less appreciated. I feel much less trepidation about trying to find good sources of published literature, armed with the great sources that you have provided me.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Oct 00 - 02:08 AM

Mudcatters -without exception- also have the wonderful trait of coming swiftly to offer the support needed.

A bit more than a month ago a musician friend of mine was hospitalized in another state in serious shape with an aneurysm. I needed to vent, to reach out, to have others send him their best energies. Mudcatters, bless them, immediately circled their wagons (Sorry, Little Hawk!) and sent me thoughtful, heartfelt, empathic messages that have helped me a great deal. It is my belief that they have also helped my friend.

This is a real power house here.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST,Phantom Lurker
Date: 30 Oct 00 - 11:42 AM

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.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Bagpuss
Date: 30 Oct 00 - 12:29 PM

I skimmed through this thread a little, so apologies if I am repeating anyone.

I just wanted to say that you might be able to link it with research that has shown that writing down your problems and feelings is good for reducing stress. I can maybe try to find some references if you want. PM or Email me, as I might miss a request if its in the thread. My E-mail is [e-mail]

If you are not a diary type person, and cant bring yourself to talk with "real life" closer friends, you can often find it easier to share things with net friends.

Personally, I have made some very good friends on the net - not really here yet, as I havent been around much, but on other sites. And the friends that I have made have helped me through some really tough times, just by being there for me to e-mail when things got tough.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Oct 00 - 01:07 AM

Ebbie and Bagpuss, thanks so much for your contributions. Bagpuss, I'll probably contact you sometime in the next few days.

G.P.L. My teacher and I are working together to determine the best way for me to proceed with this paper. He is an excellent teacher.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 31 Oct 00 - 07:42 AM

Start here for one selected bit of serious research and loads of references.
Take serious what Phantom Lurker writes about the danger of data selection, respectively selective production of data (intriguingly similar in style to another 'research' description from you in a totally different thread; you later said it was only play).
If your teacher knows about your plans of data gathering so far and agrees with them he may be a nice person, a likable man, even an excellent teacher on other topics but he ain't a good teacher on how to do sound empirical research.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Oct 00 - 08:26 AM

Hi Wolfgang.

The term "research", as it is applied to this paper, is only research that I will be doing with already published information. I will not be doing any original research of my own in this case. It is permissible with this paper to use anecdotal information that I can then tie into existing research.

This is not a scientific paper. Its purpose is to familiarize me with the process of researching existing information that has been generated by someone else.

Thanks for your input.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Hollowfox
Date: 31 Oct 00 - 05:27 PM

As to your being new and ineffective at searches, etc., the best advice I ever heard was "suck up to the reference librarian. Since this advice was from a reference librarian, it would have a *bg* added for an accurate transcription. Seriously, go to the reference desk/most likely/most accessable librarian, tell her/him exactly what your project is, as focused as possible, and do it at a time when the library isn't crowded, and they aren't swamped with questions. I've run out of time here at work, so I'll tell my story tomorrow. Mary

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Burke
Date: 31 Oct 00 - 05:30 PM

Carol, I'm another who's only skimmed the other messages. I replying to your help with searching request. There are a lot of resources that cost libraries lots of money, but are delivered through the internet. A good example would be that your institution may have access to the electronic version of Psychological Abstracts (PsycInfo). It might be on a CD-ROM on campus or it might be remote on the internet. In any event, it's much more complete & efficient to use than going though each print volume separately. You might still have to read printed articles but the tedium of writing all those citations down is gone.

Many libraries now have access to aggeregations of journal literature. The most well known are InfoTrac, ProQuest, or EbscoHost. You can do word searching across the full text of everything in the aggregation, which is targeted to an academic audience.

Almost daily I am signing up for electronic access to journal literature & some sources are beginning to link from indexes like PsycInfo to the electronic version. This is a moving target that changes daily.

Usually I'd say don't so academic research on the general, freely available part of the internet. Given your topic, it might work out OK. The Internet has been very self referential from the beginning, so internet oriented psychologists might very well have their papers up for free. Which reminds me, one of the very first free, scholarly, internet only journals is Psycholoquy. I see there's a link there CogPrints a well. Truly, though, your best bet is PsycInfo and the journal literature. You'll find what's been published in Psycholoquy and the print literature.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Oct 00 - 05:35 PM

I am very underemployed and bored a lot at my job. THe people I work with are nice enough but they don't give a rip about my music, or my reenacting, or anything like that. When I have a break I have an opportunity to talk to people who have the same interests as me, and I like that. PLus once in awhile I actually learn something. :)

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 12:06 AM

Hollowfox and Burke, thanks. That information looks like it could be very useful.

Kim C, thanks for your contribution.

Carol

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 02:05 PM

(Now I have time for my story) I've always loved the folk/traditional arts, the music, storytelling, dance, jokes, recipes, you name it. The trouble is that, in the workplace and the general social scene (work, church, school), my interest is not shared. So, I'm viewed as a harmless eccentric (at best), someone with a really strange sense of humor, etc. When I lived in an area with a large folkie population, I had a base of social support, but circumstances had me move to an area where it's at least an hour's drive in any direction to any folk events, whether large or small. A full time job, raising small children, etc. made it both cost- and time- prohibitive to attend more than two or three "big" folk gatherings a year. With the Mudcat (and some day HearMe, when I get a 'net accessible computer at home), I can "talk" to people who share my interests, people that I don't have to explain my jokes to, people who share my "vocabulary" of performers' names, recording labels, book titles, and real life experiences (concerts, coffee houses, festivals). It's heartening to be able to give an answer to somebody's question or request, and have them appreciate it. Likewise, if I put out a question, I have a lot of friends who will give it their best shot. This past year, several people in the folk field died that were dear to me, and to many others. For all their accomplishments, their passing was not covered by the mainstream news media, and even if it had been, no one where I work would really share my grief, even if I explained who these people were. Here at the 'Cat, we could share our grief, our thoughts, and most importantly, our stories. As I said before, the 'Cat is like a very good party or gathering of friends. The subject does not stick so strictly to folk subjects that things get stuffy, and because of our shared interests, it doesn't stray too far from these shared interests. I have had a little experience with other internet groups; MUSHs, MOOs, et. and there seems to be more rudeness, flaming, one-upsmanship, etc. on them. For all that people complain about ill manners, I see this as self-regulation of the forum more than anything else. Perhaps because of the (very broadly defined) shared interests among us, there is a relatively strong characteristic of tolerance on the 'Cat. To be sure, sometimes feelings run high, and sometimes someone will post that they think a thread doesn't belong here; and well they should. It's an honest opinion, and part of the self-regulating. Still in all, you can find agnostics, athiests, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, and pagans all accepting the postings of the others, sometimes with obvious affection and friendship. For the same reason(s), friendship and trust seem more common here than the other groups I encountered. Newcomers are welcomed, you don't have someone decide whether you can subscribe or not. Threads include non-folk requests for advice regarding everything from computers to recipes, requests for help through a tough spot or expressions of concern for fellow members. For this last, I'm thinking of the thread last June about the fires in Colorado, and the thread running now about the storms in the British Isles. So in the end, it's the combination of shared interests and tolerance that, in the abstract, account for the 'Cat's attraction. A more real, personal answer is that I enjoy the company of a bunch of people who like the same things I do, to whom I don't have to give points of reference or explain context when I mention something, who don't need explanations of my jokes, and who don't mind if I'm just me.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Nov 00 - 02:11 PM

Um, sorry that ran so long. I really did put in break commands for between paragraphs.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 07:15 PM

Carol, As a relative newcomer to Mudcat, I can say that I have benefited in several ways from my time spent here. Emotionally,this group of people who didn't know me supported me greatly at the lowest time of my life. When my daughter died,I was so overwhelmed,desperately hurt and felt stranded & alone with my feelings. I don't know why I shared it with a group of people I didn't know. I never expected the kind and loving response I received. You all could have said "We've all got problems,man". But the genuine innate goodness came out to touch the soul of another person, And that's not damn bad. Even for a computer community. I've seen it happen here on several occasions. It reinforces Anne Frank's point about the innate goodness in people.I've learned so much about folk music and a world of other subjects too. Mudcatter's are smart, witty, talented and eager to help as the responses to this thread show. I see I'm rambling but hope something I have said makes some sense and has meaning for you. I am honored to be accepted by this great group of people that I may never even meet.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 07:15 PM

Carol, As a relative newcomer to Mudcat, I can say that I have benefited in several ways from my time spent here. Emotionally,this group of people who didn't know me supported me greatly at the lowest time of my life. When my daughter died,I was so overwhelmed,desperately hurt and felt stranded & alone with my feelings. I don't know why I shared it with a group of people I didn't know. I never expected the kind and loving response I received. You all could have said "We've all got problems,man". But the genuine innate goodness came out to touch the soul of another person, And that's not damn bad. Even for a computer community. I've seen it happen here on several occasions. It reinforces Anne Frank's point about the innate goodness in people.I've learned so much about folk music and a world of other subjects too. Mudcatter's are smart, witty, talented and eager to help as the responses to this thread show. I see I'm rambling but hope something I have said makes some sense and has meaning for you. I am honored to be accepted by this great group of people that I may never even meet.

Subject: RE: Help: Not Music. Research Paper
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 07:48 PM

Sorry, I'm at work and forgot to sign the above post.