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bogus posters?

(79 Posts)
petallus Thu 21-Jun-12 08:46:55

My DD visited at the w/e and was quite interested in Gransnet and how I saw it. I said it felt like we were an intimate group of women (and some men) who give each other support, bounce ideas off each other, share jokes etc., in other words like a group of friends. Of course, at the same time we all know Gransnet is open to anyone who wants to have a look. But added to this DD (who is a psychologist) tells me that there is currently quite a bit of concern amongst professional bodies over the way some researchers collect their material over the net. Not only do they trawl websites like ours for opinions and attitudes but sometimes they might even create an identity for themselves and post a question in order to get responses they can use in their research.

This isn't illegal but it is seen as unethical by, for instance, the British Psychological Society.

Don't know if this matters but thought I'd mention it.

JessM Thu 21-Jun-12 20:27:57

It says at the top of Forums page - HN has non-exclusive copyright to all posting and may republish in another form/place
Johanna I suspect you have a very logical, organised, literal mind.
Not everyone does. Just because posters are a little incoherent, incomplete or emotional does not mean they are bogus. Some minds, and lives, are quite messy.

Bags Thu 21-Jun-12 20:34:16

I interpret HQ's non-exclusive copyright to mean that I have copyright of anything I write on GN, but that they can also use what I write.

whenim64 Thu 21-Jun-12 20:39:01

I agree with you Jess. The earlier comment about how we discern those who aren't genuine is spot on - strange names that appear without introducing themselves and demonstrating that they have a use for Gransnet but not an interest or commitment to get involved. They are usually easy to sniff out. The male poster who came on here telling us about the women who wanted to change his will hasn't been back, nor have others who come along to provoke and not engage.