College, University and Medical Students Please Read

[monkeyc]

It occurs to me that there have been a number of threads lately clearly  by College and University students engaging in research for courses and asking questions.

There are some things that concern myself and other posters about this behaviour so it might be worth putting some thoughts down.  From where I sit there seem to be three basic things any of us should be able to expect in these cases -

1. A statement of what the information is for - the course, class, or program you are collecting information for and what university it is from
2. How this information will be used and what will be done with the results
3. An understanding that you are dealing with people who have mental illnesses and a sense that this is respected.

Many of us are happy to help students but we are not research subjects (or in the case of one past poster here apparently guinea pigs in a social experiment) nor freaks - we like talking to people about bipolar and what it means but we also like to believe that our thoughts and cries for help will not be used as part of study.

I dont think its too hard to expect a student to post that they are a student when asking a question for use in their studies.  

What do others think?

[cowgirlnerd]

ABSOLUTLEY WELL WRITTEN!  We aren't lab rats, and deserve the respect to be asked questions in an honest manner.  We are here to help each other, not be under a microscope to help someone get a grade on a paper - or to be rediculed like the one that bulldozer is referring to.....  

We respect each other and our differences - we should be shown respect and compassion that anyone else would receive.  Just because it's a mental illness, doesn't mean we don't have the same expectations of respectful treatment.

[bernie40]

I agree!

I find it quite insulting when a poster is very obviously asking for reasons regarding study but has not had the respect to say so.

However, I would also like to point out that it also makes me cross when certain students think they know everything just because they are studying or have studied psychology for a couple of years!

Having said all that, then yes, if a student wishes to gather information and is up front about their reasons then I am more likely to respond.