Psychology Study of American Star Trek Fans

[katzarskamiller]

Hi All, I am looking for 30 American Star Trek fans to participate in an online survey examining Star Trek fan identity. The survey should take less than 20 minutes to complete. I have a small grant for this study and will send (via email) a $10 amazon gift card upon completion of the survey. If you are willing to volunteer for this study please click on the below link.

* Link removed. *

Thank you,
Dr. Iva Katzarska-Miller
Assistant Professor
Transylvania University

 

[Mr Silver]

Is this for real?

 

[Amaris]

While Transylvania University does exist (it's in Northern Kentucky), I don't think this is legitimate. You see, "Katzarskamiller" is on several other boards doing something similar:

http://electionink.com/showthread.php/1259-Psychology-Study-of-Republican-Identity

http://www.christianforums.com/t7500226/

http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/bb/topics/Psychology_Study_of_Sierra_Club_Identity-136-1

http://planet520.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=893

So either a scammer, a spambot or a very lazy student. Either way, no dice. The kicker is the $10 Amazon gift card. Psychology studies don't offer online rewards to subjects, as the vast majority of surveys are taken for free, plus, once an online gift card required an email address, and once they have your email, they'll sell it and spam you into oblivion. You'll never see that card.

If, on the other hand, this is legitimate, then it has been very poorly executed. No offense, "Dr.". While there is a Dr. Iva Katzarska-Miller listed at Transylvania University, I don't think such a person would have the time to create penny ante surveys. As a student maybe, but a Dr.? No.

 

[AstroSmurf]

^ Thank you for that.

 

[katzarskamiller]

Hi All, I am a real Dr. and this is a real survey. I am compensating participants with a $10 gift card. This is a typical practice in psychology. Yes, I have posted on other sites because I am investigating other identities. I promise not to spam you and I will delete your email from my records after sending you the gift card.

Thanks, Iva

 

[Amaris]

If you are indeed the genuine article, then you have to understand that there are many scams that start off with a survey and an easy prize, and they do use the names of Doctors, Lawyers, Police Chiefs, etc., to get people interested, and that since this is a large message board, it's a prime target for spambots, scams, and so on. I have several issues with the initial post.

1] Your sample size is very small.
2] I went through your survey and the questions are heavily loaded.
3] You offer a significant prize for very little effort.
4] There is a history of internet scams using this very method.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Nice research, J. And that Republican Forum was a hoot.

Doc, if you are legit, I don't know what you hope to accomplish by surveying just a small sample of widely divergent populations. Thirty Star Trek fans will tell you absolutely nothing about Fandom (although apparently it only takes one Republican to tell you all you need to know about Republicans ). Trek fans range from young kids to old timers, from low to middle to high income, from passive to active, and include writers and artists and filmmakers, astronauts like Mae Jemison, heads of state like President Obama and the King of Jordan and scientists like Steven Hawking and Michio Kaku. You'll be spending thousands of dollars to learn nothing of value.

In any case, this BBS is a community for people to join to make friends and talk about their favorite topics. Joining just to Post a survey is spamming, which is not allowed, so I'm closing this Thread. You are welcome to stay and discuss Star Trek, or whatever else is on your mind.