silversardine
Member
THUCYDIDES79 said:
That is a good VOTE question to indicate sentiment based on figures. One could assume a certain amount of emotional attachment to each choice, but they would only be assumptions. However, there is such a variety of threads that the emotional content is quite spread around and may not be directly related to figures or numbers as such.
Yes, people could be influenced to be more selective with their words. It would be perhaps more acceptable if the rating was not directly linked to the post itself, although that would elicit more actual information from a research perspective. It would be necessary to explain clearly that the purpose is to gather information not to use it in any fashion that directly affects posters. And, that the information could benefit them, in hindsight anyway, so that they could ''read'' or be more aware of how such things as ''sentiment'' and investor psychology affect their own thought processes. A self select process obviously also affects the type of person more likely to go through the rating process. Eg: Maybe there will be a bias towards level headed or angry etc....
If participants are aware then that is fine, it will be noted as a limitation and possible effects on the data can be examined. It would be unethical to do this without permission in any case. However. most people are anonymous on here. Those that aren't already express themself anyway to whatever degree they feel comfortable and they shouldn't feel the need to change. I would also note that the raw data would not be available for all to view, only the final analysed data, as released by whoever does the analysis. So both a degree of anonymity, and further confidentiality of username data, is maintainted as well.
That was my four cents worth....
