File-sharing: right or wrong?
Hello all. I'm writing a substantial essay on the morality of file-sharing, and I'm including a casual poll to see how people feel about a variety of issues pertaining to things like movie/music/software downloading.
(link no longer available, asshole)
Click the link to take the survey, and thanks in advance for your time.
Also, please let me know (here) if you truly feel that a particular viewpoint was not adequately represented by my responses to the question. I want to cover all my bases and make sure no opinion on the issue of file-sharing is left out.
(link no longer available, asshole)
Click the link to take the survey, and thanks in advance for your time.
Also, please let me know (here) if you truly feel that a particular viewpoint was not adequately represented by my responses to the question. I want to cover all my bases and make sure no opinion on the issue of file-sharing is left out.
Comments
I came to a Mac forum hoping for some intelligent insight, but so far it's 0 for 2. Somebody, anybody, please take the survey and actually READ the responses.
then you, sir, clearly don't understand the concept of morality. There's an obvious sense of right and wrong when it comes to sharing files, and the presence of a moral dilemma is irrefutable. All I need to know is what your personal viewpoints are on a variety of responses pertaining to the dilemma.
You got a response and then you rejected it. If he were to take your poll his reponse would most likely be "I don't believe this is a moral issue".
Also your poll question is biased and your poll is self-selecting. Making it pointless for anything beyond a grade school paper.
A. this isn't necessary for my "homework." This is simply a survey I'm going to tack on at the end of an essay (one which you probably won't even begin to understand).
B. Vinea- the response was stupid and had nothing to do with what I asked. If you (or the other person) would have actually READ what I had written (i.e. the response "File sharing does not effect me") then both you and the other guy would have saved yourselves from looking like idiots.
My views have nothing to do with the survey, and you obviously don't know me so how can any of it be biased? My thoughts are nowhere on the poll, so either take it or stop whining about it. If it's that important to you, gather your own damn research and make your own damn poll--otherwise, quit pissing all over something just to be an internet know-it-all. Furthermore, grade-school papers don't usually deal with graduate work in ethics...
edit: why is it that every time someone posts academic work on non-academic message boards, people suddenly become experts on the subject? Also, why bother to criticize something if you can't even offer constructive criticism? I've heard nothing but problems about, what i feel to be, my well-worded and comprehensive survey, but as soon as I ask for opinions, that somehow sets off people's "d-bag system" and things devolve into ignorant, single-sentence posts while I'm left wondering how to rephrase things in order for the simplest of readers to understand. Honestly, it's not that hard--take the time to read all the options and think before you post. I have spanned every single opinion one can have (that I know of), so your thoughts have to be on this thing (and also, notice how it is a Likert-style setup...it's ALL opinion...)
Now I'll be glad to answer any questions that one may have about the survey, so long as they have CAREFULLY READ the responses, and are not posting simply for ego gratification via putting down another's hard work.
I try to be affable and friendly, but the douche-baggery of the internet prevails yet again.
yah, that's friendly.
A. this isn't necessary for my "homework." This is simply a survey I'm going to tack on at the end of an essay (one which you probably won't even begin to understand).
So you asking for respondents from a pool that couldn't even begin to understand the topic?
B. Vinea- the response was stupid and had nothing to do with what I asked. If you (or the other person) would have actually READ what I had written (i.e. the response "File sharing does not effect me") then both you and the other guy would have saved yourselves from looking like idiots.
The response was valid in as much as there are folks that do not believe file sharing is a moral issue. Perhaps mydo is from the school of moral skepticism?
And the word is affect not effect and what does that have to do with whether something is subjectively considered moral or immoral by a respondent? I'm not directly (or noticeably indirectly) affected by the events in Tibet. I do have an opinion on the morality of the actions of the Tibetians and Chinese.
My views have nothing to do with the survey, and you obviously don't know me so how can any of it be biased?
Did I say anything about your views? And buddy, EVERY researcher is biased. This is why we have peers review our experiement designs and surveys.
My thoughts are nowhere on the poll, so either take it or stop whining about it.
You asked for comments. You got some. Who's whining besides you?
If it's that important to you, gather your own damn research and make your own damn poll--otherwise, quit pissing all over something just to be an internet know-it-all. Furthermore, grade-school papers don't usually deal with graduate work in ethics...
LOL...that survey is going into a graduate level paper?
edit: why is it that every time someone posts academic work on non-academic message boards, people suddenly become experts on the subject?
Maybe some of us are. IMHO your poll would not likely pass peer review as is (as a likert questionnaire). And if it IS academic and "real" research I suggest that you need to inform your IRB to insure this doesn't come under your institution's definition of human subjects research. Even informal polls can be considered as human subjects research.
Also, why bother to criticize something if you can't even offer constructive criticism? I've heard nothing but problems about, what i feel to be, my well-worded and comprehensive survey, but as soon as I ask for opinions, that somehow sets off people's "d-bag system" and things devolve into ignorant, single-sentence posts while I'm left wondering how to rephrase things in order for the simplest of readers to understand.
Dude, why don't you actually do some research into what makes a scientific poll? You believe your survey to be "comprehensive" as is? LOL
Honestly, it's not that hard--take the time to read all the options and think before you post. I have spanned every single opinion one can have (that I know of), so your thoughts have to be on this thing (and also, notice how it is a Likert-style setup...it's ALL opinion...)
Obviously not since you refuse to consider IF the question is a moral one by a respondent. For an ethics paper no less.
Also Likert style questionnaire questions have similar psychological weights...not just multiple options, require a reasonable number of respondents (that typically you prefer not to be self-selecting) and typically are validated to assure that you meet all the criteria so that the summation of your scores really DO indicate the respondent's opinions. For example, where all the items carry the same psychological weight.
At a quick glance, I'd say no.
Now I'll be glad to answer any questions that one may have about the survey, so long as they have CAREFULLY READ the responses, and are not posting simply for ego gratification via putting down another's hard work.
Fine, you claim Likert then show me for your reliability coefficient, statistical correlation and your IRB letter showing that you've been approved (or waviered) for human subject research as part of your course work.
If not, let me know who you really are. and what school you attend so I can report you for an academic ethics violation of human subject research without approval.
Although, given you're likely a non-science major you probably don't know any better and they'll just inform you of the correct proceedures.
If he is gathering information for a survey, he shouldn't be attacking respondents if he is not happy with their responses. Anyone who conducts a qualitative study in this manner lacks any credibility, especially when you are supposed to be polling your sample in an unbiased manner.
I am willing to bet that this kid is writing this paper for his undergraduate business class since he is seems to be confused about morality and ethics. I agree that she is not a scientist either because of the approach taken with posters.
Do I win?
Arrogant, authoritative, really wrapped up in meaningless drivel... Philosophy major is my bet.
Do I win?
I'll see your Philosophy major and raise you a Sociology grad student.
I'll see your Philosophy major and raise you a Sociology grad student.
A sociology grad student would know about IRBs. At least I'd hope so.
Not that's it's THAT big a deal but while I've never been on an IRB I'd doubt they'd want you to ask if someone was currently indulging in illegal activity unless it was absolutely necessary for the research. You CAN, but you have to understand that your records can be subpoenead.
"For example, we review many proposals for surveys or interviews involving illegal activities, such as drug use, where anonymity must be protected. It is not enough simply to code results and keep a table linking names to codes in a safe place, because these records can be subpoenaed. Is it necessary to destroy such records as soon as research is completed? Many principal investigators are unaware of this problem."
"In borderline cases, a review is necessary because of vulnerability to lawsuits, no matter how frivolous. Defending any lawsuit is expensive and traumatic for the principal investigator. Approval by a recognized university entity transfers legal responsibility to the university, which will defend principal investigators if necessary. This is a significant advantage to them"
http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/pubsres/aca...JF/LTE/IRB.htm
While highly unlikely, the MPAA could ask for the IP of all respondents that answered "Yes, and I still do" in question 1 from surveymonkey. Since he doesn't actually control the records (surveymoneky does), he can't destroy them as most researchers would immediately after completing the research. There's no actual way for him to protect the privacy of his subjects...it's all up to surveymonkey.
That's ignoring all the other requirements in research of human subjects....
IANAL, and I don't know the actual risks or policies of his school...but that's why we have IRBs to begin with. And the MPAA doesn't play nice. I sure as heck would make sure that the university held liability if they came sniffing.
I never claimed that this was an authoritative, scientific survey intended specifically for heavy-duty research...Ii believe I called it a "casual poll" on my website.
I'm a Philosophy major. Writing surveys is not my thing (I've never done one in my life until now, and I don't even intend to interpret the data myself...I'm simply including this at the end of my essay just for an interesting little factoid so people can see what some of the issues are and where people stand). I used SurveyMonkey for christ's sake...I realize this poll carries no academic weight, but I still wanted to do just out of personal curiosity.
Don't insult me...sociology grad student? Business classes?
I'm not attacking people for their answers to the survey itself (I can't tell who said what)--I'm reacting to a bunch of needlessly malicious comments that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. On a forum such as this, I was expecting some constructive criticism but not all-out "dude this sucks you fail." I have a thick skin when it comes to critical analysis (I'm used to it...I have to be...), but not when it comes to lists of things that are terrible and no insight beyond that (every person in academia would agree...if you're going to disagree with something, you do it in a professional, respectful manner). Had reactions to my original topic been different, this thread wouldn't have divulged into a stupid flame war with speculations about my credentials/knowledge/major.
The "affected" question was used to see how many people actually care about the issue of file-sharing. If they care about the morality, then they would disagree that it doesn't affect them. How is this incorrect?
I believe it is "comprehensive" because I think I've touched upon every response a reader can have about the morality of the issue. Even so, given how my survey is set up, that isn't even important because clearly I'm just looking at what people think about the ideas presented.
edit: I just checked the survey results, and it seems a majority of the replies do not tend to one extreme or the other. I'm thinking this is a good thing...so how bad can this thing really be?
That's ignoring all the other requirements in research of human subjects....
IANAL, and I don't know the actual risks or policies of his school...but that's why we have IRBs to begin with. And the MPAA doesn't play nice. I sure as heck would make sure that the university held liability if they came sniffing."
I was not aware of this. At this point, do you think I should just scrap the survey entirely in order to protect responders? I'm not out to get people in trouble...I just thought a poll like this would be interesting. This idea that had started out as what I thought would be a cool little addition to a paper is turning into a headache.
Wow. This is what I get for asking a forum to take a survey. What you're perceiving as arrogance is frustration.
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I'm a Philosophy major.
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Don't insult me...sociology grad student?
Not arrogant are we? No, it's pretty clear you're not a sociology major.
I'm reacting to a bunch of needlessly malicious comments that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. On a forum such as this, I was expecting some constructive criticism but not all-out "dude this sucks you fail."
Dude, ask your prof what an IRB is and why doing even an informal survey that asks respondents if they are committing illegal activity could be a bad thing.
Oh and dude, ask your prof what moral skepticism is and how it pertains to your assertion that:
There's an obvious sense of right and wrong when it comes to sharing files, and the presence of a moral dilemma is irrefutable.
Hopefully his reponse isn't "Dude, that sucks and you fail" after pontificating about the various forms of moral skepticism for 20 minutes.
Irrefutable? That comment from a purported Philosophy major? And you wonder why there might be some speculation on your knowledge/credentials/major?
I was not aware of this. At this point, do you think I should just scrap the survey entirely in order to protect responders? I'm not out to get people in trouble...I just thought a poll like this would be interesting. This idea that had started out as what I thought would be a cool little addition to a paper is turning into a headache.
No. Just ask your prof tomorrow. That's what he (or she) is there for. As I said, since you didn't know, no one is likely going to jump all over your case about it. They'll just tell you what to do for the next time.
The odds are real low anything would come of it and survey monkey might not be capturing IPs in any useful way anyways.
If you're feeling too paranoid, you can try deleting that question unless you're using that to correlate opinion with practice. Which DOES have merit but is...as you say a potential headache.
I'm quite aware of moral skepticism...thank you. I'm trying to be civil about this, but I see you simply don't want to be courteous. Either you're a thorough d-bag, or you simply can't read my posts without trying to refute everything I write.
I'm keeping the survey as-is, you can stop whining about it. It's not life or death.
Also, I would like to point out that Maclemming has offered to fight me via private messages. I see the kind of people that post on this board, and my only mistake about this whole thing was thinking I could get some intelligent responses from people. I'm a die-hard mac user, but I understand why people consider most (if not all) to be elitist knobgobblers. The egos are too much.