FAQ
Since I'm just starting out, these are more like First Anticipated Questions. I'll add any that are asked of me, provided they're tactful and relevant.
The HPFS FAQ
Newly updated questions are marked with "&".
Outdated questions are marked with "#".
1) What exactly is this project?
2) What are the surveys about?
3) Who should take the surveys?
4) How do I participate?
5) What are you going to do with the findings?
6) Why use LiveJournal for this project?
7) Can I help/make suggestions/give feedback?
8) Who are you?
9) Why is your favorite book GoF?!
10) Hey, are you (random LJ user)?
11) Why haven't you asked about sex/gender yet? #
12) How does the most recent survey differ from the first four? &
1) What exactly is this project?
This project will consist of a series of surveys (opinion and demographic). My goal is to shed some light on the culture of die-hard Harry Potter fans - specifically adult fans who write fanfic, create fanart, or otherwise devote their energy and artistic ability. Nick Yee's gamer study, which I have participated in for several years, was a big inspiration. My project will be rather smaller than his, but the intent is similar.
2) What are the surveys about?
The first few will be mainly demographic (factual). If all goes well with the first few, I intend to do some written-answer surveys on subjects like:
3) Who should take the surveys?
If you're here and bothering to read this, probably you. More specifically, if you're a Harry Potter fan and involved in any of the things I listed above (fanfic, fanart, roleplay, so on), then you're who I'm looking for. Harry Potter needn't be your main or only fandom. You don't necessarily have to be a writer, artist, or RP'er - just someone who has invested time into this subculture. If your involvement boils down to nothing more than reading fics, that's equally valid.
4) How do I participate?
I will post a list of questions for each section of the survey. See here for instructions.
5) What are you going to do with the findings?
To be honest, I'm not sure yet. For right now, I'm simply interested in the clarity they provide. I'll post my findings here, for all to see. Later, they will most likely be polished up and turned into a series of papers, presentations, or website. I'm hunting for psychology/sociology journals for which my work would be appropriate. Any suggestions welcome!
Overall, I'm curious about this Internet microcosm, and the people it enfolds. However, the success of this project will ride upon your interest, provided it begets attention and participation.
6) Why use LiveJournal for this project?
Setting up my project via a weblog gives me easy access to a wide range of fans. Feedback and questions are easier to handle through this medium. Plus, I'm already familiar with it, and it's quite convenient.
As far as storage is concerned, I am going to keep hard copies of data in a safe place, as well as several copies in trustworthy online nooks and crannies. That way, even if LJ has some inexplicable outage, the data won't be at risk.
7) Can I help/make suggestions/give feedback?
Yes please! The most obvious way would be to take the surveys as they pop up. You can also make suggestions (on questions, topics of future surveys, etc.) by either commenting here, or contacting me.
As of August 20, 2005, I am accepting beta readers for progress reports and surveys. If you are interested, please email me (fanstudy (at) hotmail (dot) com). You don't have to have any specific educational qualifications, just so long as you're 18 or older, polite, and willing to give constructive criticism. =)
8) Who are you?
I'm Vivian, a psychology student from Central Texas. My mentor is Dr. Maria Bravo, and I am a member of Psi Beta.
I am a devoted Harry Potter fan. I am also a sculptor, a writer, a gamer, a feminist, and a Texan. I love studying symbolism, archetypes, stereotypes, and clichés. Overanalyzing is a way of life for me.
Concerning the Potterverse, my favorite book (so far) is GoF*. My favorite characters are Snape, Harry, Lupin, and Tonks. I mainly read Snape/Harry**, but I like almost any pairing if it's written convincingly. The sheer amount of artistic and writing talent I've witnessed in all of you is both glorious and daunting.
*As of July 16, 2005, I'd say GoF and HBP are tied as my favorites.
**As of July 16, 2005, wow, JKR certainly took that dynamic firmly in hand, no? I don't think it's dead, though, just more complicated.
9) GoF?!
Well, yeah. Think about it: international interaction, social mores of questionable heritage, fairness and morality in competition. It's social science heaven. My favorite scene is after Harry takes the egg to the prefect's bathroom - the part where he drops it down the stairs. I think the interaction of Filch, Moody(?), Snape, and invisible!Harry is great.
10) Hey, are you (random LJ user)?
Probably not. In fact...
People I Am Not (although it's flattering to be accused!)
1) atrata
2) meepalicious
3) Anyone modding any community, anywhere, ever.
4) Anyone who tells you they're me.
11) Why haven't you asked about sex/gender yet?
Well, it's a lot more complicated than just one question. I couldn't very well ask about biological sex without asking about gender as well. Plus, asking those two questions leads to a whole new chunk of questions about sexual views and sexual orientation. I'm saving the topics for a future survey, perhaps #4 or #5. Update: I covered this topic in Survey 4.
12) How does the most recent survey differ from the first four?
The previous four surveys were done with Psi Beta and psychology interest in mind, but were not specifically approved by any group or institution. This most recent survey is being conducted for a specific class, and has IRB approval from my university. Although the first four surveys were not approved by any institution, I do plan to analyze them completely in the future. I also plan to do more institution-approved fandom surveys in the future.
The HPFS FAQ
Newly updated questions are marked with "&".
Outdated questions are marked with "#".
1) What exactly is this project?
2) What are the surveys about?
3) Who should take the surveys?
4) How do I participate?
5) What are you going to do with the findings?
6) Why use LiveJournal for this project?
7) Can I help/make suggestions/give feedback?
8) Who are you?
9) Why is your favorite book GoF?!
10) Hey, are you (random LJ user)?
11) Why haven't you asked about sex/gender yet? #
12) How does the most recent survey differ from the first four? &
1) What exactly is this project?
This project will consist of a series of surveys (opinion and demographic). My goal is to shed some light on the culture of die-hard Harry Potter fans - specifically adult fans who write fanfic, create fanart, or otherwise devote their energy and artistic ability. Nick Yee's gamer study, which I have participated in for several years, was a big inspiration. My project will be rather smaller than his, but the intent is similar.
2) What are the surveys about?
The first few will be mainly demographic (factual). If all goes well with the first few, I intend to do some written-answer surveys on subjects like:
- Portrayal and perception of homosexuality
Personally identifying with characters
Views on chan, incest, and non-con
Fan involvement's influence on life, acceptance, etc.
3) Who should take the surveys?
If you're here and bothering to read this, probably you. More specifically, if you're a Harry Potter fan and involved in any of the things I listed above (fanfic, fanart, roleplay, so on), then you're who I'm looking for. Harry Potter needn't be your main or only fandom. You don't necessarily have to be a writer, artist, or RP'er - just someone who has invested time into this subculture. If your involvement boils down to nothing more than reading fics, that's equally valid.
4) How do I participate?
I will post a list of questions for each section of the survey. See here for instructions.
5) What are you going to do with the findings?
To be honest, I'm not sure yet. For right now, I'm simply interested in the clarity they provide. I'll post my findings here, for all to see. Later, they will most likely be polished up and turned into a series of papers, presentations, or website. I'm hunting for psychology/sociology journals for which my work would be appropriate. Any suggestions welcome!
Overall, I'm curious about this Internet microcosm, and the people it enfolds. However, the success of this project will ride upon your interest, provided it begets attention and participation.
6) Why use LiveJournal for this project?
Setting up my project via a weblog gives me easy access to a wide range of fans. Feedback and questions are easier to handle through this medium. Plus, I'm already familiar with it, and it's quite convenient.
As far as storage is concerned, I am going to keep hard copies of data in a safe place, as well as several copies in trustworthy online nooks and crannies. That way, even if LJ has some inexplicable outage, the data won't be at risk.
7) Can I help/make suggestions/give feedback?
Yes please! The most obvious way would be to take the surveys as they pop up. You can also make suggestions (on questions, topics of future surveys, etc.) by either commenting here, or contacting me.
As of August 20, 2005, I am accepting beta readers for progress reports and surveys. If you are interested, please email me (fanstudy (at) hotmail (dot) com). You don't have to have any specific educational qualifications, just so long as you're 18 or older, polite, and willing to give constructive criticism. =)
8) Who are you?
I'm Vivian, a psychology student from Central Texas. My mentor is Dr. Maria Bravo, and I am a member of Psi Beta.
I am a devoted Harry Potter fan. I am also a sculptor, a writer, a gamer, a feminist, and a Texan. I love studying symbolism, archetypes, stereotypes, and clichés. Overanalyzing is a way of life for me.
Concerning the Potterverse, my favorite book (so far) is GoF*. My favorite characters are Snape, Harry, Lupin, and Tonks. I mainly read Snape/Harry**, but I like almost any pairing if it's written convincingly. The sheer amount of artistic and writing talent I've witnessed in all of you is both glorious and daunting.
*As of July 16, 2005, I'd say GoF and HBP are tied as my favorites.
**As of July 16, 2005, wow, JKR certainly took that dynamic firmly in hand, no? I don't think it's dead, though, just more complicated.
9) GoF?!
Well, yeah. Think about it: international interaction, social mores of questionable heritage, fairness and morality in competition. It's social science heaven. My favorite scene is after Harry takes the egg to the prefect's bathroom - the part where he drops it down the stairs. I think the interaction of Filch, Moody(?), Snape, and invisible!Harry is great.
10) Hey, are you (random LJ user)?
Probably not. In fact...
People I Am Not (although it's flattering to be accused!)
1) atrata
2) meepalicious
3) Anyone modding any community, anywhere, ever.
4) Anyone who tells you they're me.
11) Why haven't you asked about sex/gender yet?
Well, it's a lot more complicated than just one question. I couldn't very well ask about biological sex without asking about gender as well. Plus, asking those two questions leads to a whole new chunk of questions about sexual views and sexual orientation. I'm saving the topics for a future survey, perhaps #4 or #5. Update: I covered this topic in Survey 4.
12) How does the most recent survey differ from the first four?
The previous four surveys were done with Psi Beta and psychology interest in mind, but were not specifically approved by any group or institution. This most recent survey is being conducted for a specific class, and has IRB approval from my university. Although the first four surveys were not approved by any institution, I do plan to analyze them completely in the future. I also plan to do more institution-approved fandom surveys in the future.