Dear Abi It is certainly sad to hear that you've 'lurked' for years and found no occasion on which you have the confidence to say anything (or nuthin'). I'm no academic, and find quite often that contributions and thoughts get no, and on the odd occasion dismissive, reactions. I thought it rathr hilarious to suggest that what you posted (in all its naivity, etc., etc :-) ) was an example (per our illustrious academic(s)) a "good example on how NOT to answer a question". It was of course both a good and a bad example of how not to ASK a question. The amswer you were given was 'crappy', if I may be allowed, although the recommendations as to how to pose questions is useful. Questions may be broad, simplistic, narrow, and frankly asinine. It's always worth thinking through what to ask, rather then being so broad and open so as to lead to people trying to figure out the usual - what, why, when etc. I'd say continue asking; think a bit more about what you're asking; and forget about the stuffed shirts. Dominic --- Abigail Groves <a.groves@student.unsw.edu.au> wrote:
Hi all, I have been a member of this list for several years and as an unpublished graduate student, have lacked the confidence to contribute to discussion. This was, in fact, the first time I have posted. Being informed that my post was a 'good example of how not to ask questions' on a discussion list (!?!) is not likely to encourage my further participation. Thanks to those who responded to my query, which was deliberately broad. Your suggestions have provided a useful reading list for my as-yet-unformed research into this subject. Abi
Quoting Barry Wellman <wellman@chass.utoronto.ca>:
I'm gearing up to write a book on writing for the social scientists.
I want to put in something about how to write in listservs, chat groups, IM, etc.
I was struck this week by Abigail's Q (see below) which I thought was a good example on how NOT to answer a question, because it was so broadly framed:
<snip> Dominic Pinto BA MIEEE MCMI MRi FRSA http://www.ecademy.com/user/dominicpinto e-m: dominic.pinto@ieee.org M: +44 780 302-8268 Ph: +44 207 379-8341 In the U.S. M/Cell: +1 215 667-3001