[Air-l] writing effective questions to lists

[Abigail Groves]

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I have been a member of this list for several years and as an unpublished 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 at 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: what is it about time that Abigail is interested in? (dissertation
> advising manta).
> 
> Yet, I have been struck by how much interesting discussion Abigail's Q has
> evoked. For one thing, there ain't much on time (altho did anyone mention
> Evitar Zeruvabel?), so anything might be worthwhile. Second, the broadness
> of the Q seems to have served as a projective test -- evoking a variety of
> responses.
> 
> So, I am lead to wonder and to ask: what tips do people have for posting
> to lists?
> 
> My quick guide is:
> 
> 1. Be specific as to content and need.
> 
> 2. Lurk on the list for a while to get a sense of its style.
> 
> 3. Try to post something else first, so that you are contributing as well
> as asking for information.
> 
> PS: I'd like to endorse Frank Thomas' request for evidence on Virillo's
> conjectures.
> 
>  Barry Wellman
>  _____________________________________________________________________
> 
>   Barry Wellman   S.D. Clark Professor of Sociology   NetLab Director
>   Centre for Urban & Community Studies          University of Toronto
>   455 Spadina Avenue    Toronto Canada M5S 2G8    fax:+1-416-978-7162
>   wellman at chass.utoronto.ca  http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman
>         for fun: http://chass.utoronto.ca/oldnew/cybertimes.php
>  _____________________________________________________________________
> 
>  On 12/7/06, Abigail Groves wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi all,
> >>> I am writing about the internet and its effects on time. I was
> wondering
> >>> if anyone could suggest some readings on this topic?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Abigail Groves
> >>>
> >>> PhD Candidate
> >>> National Centre in HIV Social Research
> >>> University of NSW
> >>> http://nchsr.unsw.edu.au
> 
> 
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-- 
Abigail Groves
phd candidate
National Centre in HIV Social Research
UNSW
Sydney 2052