Re: Somewhat OT: Thoughts about anonymous posting?

Posted by Ryan on Mar 15, 2013; 3:17am
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Somewhat-OT-Thoughts-about-anonymous-posting-tp5718681p5718696.html

Jon,

 

Were you asking me a direct question about how I feel about journal articles with anonymous authors? Frankly, I had never given it any thought. Moreover, I do not equate posting to this list as publishing an article in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. I'm not implying that one is superior to the other; I simply view them as distinctly different. I suppose if I had to choose between an individual who prefers to publish work that clearly moves the field forward anonymously over not publishing at all, then I would clearly go with the former option. For me, again, this is quite different from posting to SPSS-L. I really do not want to open up the debate regarding anonymous publishing in scientific journals; at least I will not partake in it beyond what I have just said.

 

I think the list should be open to individuals who prefer to remain anonymous. There are posters on SAS-L who use the some obvious fake name, if you will, and have contributed a great deal to the list. They, too, have built reputations over the years due to their *substantive* contributions and as a result are highly regarded, despite the fact that we do not know who they are. In a similar vein, I would hope that those on SPSS-L would prefer anonymous *substantive* posting over to not posting at all. 

 

Regardless of the decision I make, I must state unequivocally that if somebody is considering posting to SPSS-L, but would prefer to do so anonymously, to go right ahead and do so. Of course, if you choose to end your post with a very silly or offensive name and/or use a silly and/or offensive email address, then regular posters may not take you seriously. I would include myself in that camp.

 

At any rate, thanks to you and others for responding.

 

Ryan

On Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 7:29 PM, Jon K Peck <[hidden email]> wrote:

I don't like the idea of anonymous postings.  How would you feel about journal articles with anonymous authors?  When a poster is identified, it says something about willingness to stand by the post - and conversely.  And regular posters come with reputations that add context to the posts, whether it be the thinly veiled Neila Nessa or someone more normal.

IMO, if you are not willing to put your name on it, with whatever disclaimers are appropriate, don't post it, unless you are being persecuted by an authoritarian government that might put you in jeopardy for the post.


Jon Peck (no "h") aka Kim
Senior Software Engineer, IBM
[hidden email]
phone: <a href="tel:[phone]" target="_blank" value="[phone]">720-342-5621




From:        R B <[hidden email]>
To:        [hidden email],
Date:        03/14/2013 04:40 PM
Subject:        Re: [SPSSX-L] Somewhat OT: Thoughts about anonymous posting?
Sent by:        "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <[hidden email]>

---

One more reason for going anonymous (for me)--I teach a fairly large number of graduate students on a regular basis, and although I can't pinpoint exactly why that factors into the equation, it does. If I were not teaching, I think this would be less of an issue for me. I'd love to hear from others who teach on a regular basis, as well as from anybody else who has an opinion on the matter!
 
Ryan
On Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 6:19 PM, R B <[hidden email]> wrote:
Dear SPSS-L,
 
I'm curious...What are people's thoughts about posting anonymously versus self-identifying. Because much of what I post on list-serves ends up in some way, shape, or form in a peer-reviewed journal articles, I have toyed with the idea of posting from an anonymous email. Those who have followed my posts, I hope, notice that I always make a concerted effort to be respectful, and I take validation of whatever statistical method I propose for a particular research question very seriously. This, I am certain, would not change if I were to switch to an anonymous email.
 
So why go anonymous?
1. Right now, if someone were determined to find out exactly where I work and what I do, it wouldn't be all that difficult (I know this to be true--don't ask...). I enjoy my privacy.
2. Often, I think that if I want something I have written to be attached to my name that could potentially be on the Internet FOREVER, I would prefer that it go through the peer-reviewed journal process.
3. While I would remain respectful, I would feel more comfortable being a bit more direct.
 
Frankly, I post to this list because I enjoy doing it, hoping that what I post proves useful to the OP and others. Having my actual name connected to the post is less important to me. And I ought not forget to state that I learn much more from others' posts than I know I will ever be able to offer with my posts.
 
What do others think about anonymous posting? For me, this is not a black and white issue. Having said that, recently I've been leaning more and more towards anonymity.
 
Ryan