Tolkien survey

Surveyor · 07-05-2006, 02:40 PM

I’m conducting a survey of Tolkien readers. I’ll eventually publish the results in a journal and possibly as a book.

We “average” readers are the people who created the “Tolkien phenomenon,” earning book publishers and film producers billions of dollars in the last 70 years. We are not “just fans.” We are people whose lives have been significantly affected by encounters with Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Our opinions and experiences are more important than those of critics and scholars, and we should voice them as well as we can.

Basically, I just want individuals to explain why they like (or dislike) Tolkien’s books. Most of the questions in the survey are open-ended. For example, one (obvious) question is, “What are your favorite books and why are they your favorites?” Participants decide the length of their answers.

If administrators permit the survey, I'd like them to decide how I should distribute it. There are three different ways.

First, I can post the survey in the forum and ask people to post their answers here. Second, I can post it here and participants can send answers to my e-mail address. Third, people can request a copy of the survey by e-mail.

Thanks!

Spock · 07-05-2006, 02:44 PM

Insofar as this stated purpose is for Tolkein Readers, it goes into the Book Forum.

*moved*

durinsbane2244 · 07-05-2006, 03:28 PM

soooo....as a "reader", i think that the emailed survey would be best to answers wouldn't get jumbled and such things...this sounds both interesting and fun, and i hope it's a success.

Gwaimir Windgem · 07-05-2006, 09:54 PM

I'm in.

jammi567 · 07-06-2006, 04:08 PM

i'm definatly in.

Sam · 07-06-2006, 06:06 PM

count me in

Surveyor · 07-06-2006, 09:50 PM

Thanks to everyone for the positive responses.

I'm reconsidering how I'll conduct the survey.

I have to admit that I'm leery of using email for this. My concerns are for potential spam and about privacy. I want it to be completely anonymous (is that even possible on the internet?).

I think I'll start by posting a draft of the survey. If people want to answer the questions, that's great. I'll call it a beta-test and ask for input.

I'm also creating a web site. That will make it easier for me and for participants. I'll post the link as soon as it's done.

I'll get the questions up ASAP. Thanks again!

Surveyor · 07-06-2006, 10:40 PM

Please, everyone, DO NOT post your e-mail addresses in the thread. I don't want anyone worrying about getting spammed or privacy violations. Let's keep it all anonymous. Thanks.

durinsbane2244 · 07-06-2006, 10:40 PM

maybe you should just do it with PMs than....

Bombadillo · 07-07-2006, 01:05 AM

Anonomous!?

I want recognition in your journal!

This is something I'd definately like to be a part of, Surveyor. Privacy doesn't concern me so much either, so whichever way is easiest for you, plus I think I'll make a post with my answers. It sounds like fun.

Surveyor · 07-07-2006, 04:33 PM

Hi. I have created a blog for this survey. The blog is Surveying Middle-earth. Thanks.

durinsbane2244 · 07-07-2006, 04:35 PM

soooo...do you want us to PM you the answer....or...post it here...?

Meriadoc Brandybuck · 07-07-2006, 11:23 PM

I'm in if it doesn't require giving out my e-mail address. It looks like I won't have to, though.

Surveyor · 07-07-2006, 11:59 PM

Durinsbane,

I'm using the blog to post the questions. You can answer by using comments. You have the option of making it anonymous, but if you do want credit--or if you're willing to be quoted, just let me know and I'll keep your forum name with your answers. And if I do quote someone, I'll ask for their permission first (as long as I have their forum name, of course).

durinsbane2244 · 07-08-2006, 12:48 AM

alright than. thanks. so....i'll put the forum name than...

durinsbane2244 · 07-08-2006, 12:50 PM

aaaand, done. yay! i answered.

jammi567 · 07-08-2006, 01:23 PM

don't think me thick, but i still don't get how to do it?

durinsbane2244 · 07-08-2006, 02:39 PM

go to the bottom, where it says, "comments (0)" click that, and make a comment! (i.e. answers)...thickhead...

jammi567 · 07-08-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durinsbane2244

go to the bottom, where it says, "comments (0)" click that, and make a comment! (i.e. answers)...thickhead...

oi! checky.

durinsbane2244 · 07-08-2006, 04:01 PM

and don't you forget it, mate!

07-05-2006, 02:40 PM	#1
Surveyor Hobbit Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 30	Tolkien survey I’m conducting a survey of Tolkien readers. I’ll eventually publish the results in a journal and possibly as a book. We “average” readers are the people who created the “Tolkien phenomenon,” earning book publishers and film producers billions of dollars in the last 70 years. We are not “just fans.” We are people whose lives have been significantly affected by encounters with Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Our opinions and experiences are more important than those of critics and scholars, and we should voice them as well as we can. Basically, I just want individuals to explain why they like (or dislike) Tolkien’s books. Most of the questions in the survey are open-ended. For example, one (obvious) question is, “What are your favorite books and why are they your favorites?” Participants decide the length of their answers. If administrators permit the survey, I'd like them to decide how I should distribute it. There are three different ways. First, I can post the survey in the forum and ask people to post their answers here. Second, I can post it here and participants can send answers to my e-mail address. Third, people can request a copy of the survey by e-mail. Thanks!

07-05-2006, 02:44 PM	#2
Spock An enigma in a conundrum Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 6,476	Insofar as this stated purpose is for Tolkein Readers, it goes into the Book Forum. moved __________________ Vizzini: "HE DIDN'T FALL?! INCONCEIVABLE!!" Inigo: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

07-05-2006, 03:28 PM	#3
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	soooo....as a "reader", i think that the emailed survey would be best to answers wouldn't get jumbled and such things...this sounds both interesting and fun, and i hope it's a success. __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

07-05-2006, 09:54 PM	#4
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	I'm in. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

07-06-2006, 04:08 PM	#5
jammi567 I'm Eru, and lord of Arda. Join Date: May 2006 Location: southampton, hampshire Posts: 2,609	i'm definatly in. __________________ Vote for me, Jammi567, in the 2008 Entmoot elections, and you will get many of the things we need: free, unbiased, newspapers; a strong alliance with many countries, so that war doesn't start over someone breaking their nose on a doorframe; etc, etc This forum is lonely. It's new and confused, and doesn't have many friends yet. Help today by joining for free, posting, and posting this message and link in your sig. So please, join and help make it feel welcomed and loved.

07-06-2006, 06:06 PM	#6
Sam Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 251	count me in __________________ Sam, son of Mark

07-06-2006, 09:50 PM	#7
Surveyor Hobbit Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 30	Thanks to everyone for the positive responses. I'm reconsidering how I'll conduct the survey. I have to admit that I'm leery of using email for this. My concerns are for potential spam and about privacy. I want it to be completely anonymous (is that even possible on the internet?). I think I'll start by posting a draft of the survey. If people want to answer the questions, that's great. I'll call it a beta-test and ask for input. I'm also creating a web site. That will make it easier for me and for participants. I'll post the link as soon as it's done. I'll get the questions up ASAP. Thanks again!

07-06-2006, 10:40 PM	#8
Surveyor Hobbit Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 30	Your e-mail addresses Please, everyone, DO NOT post your e-mail addresses in the thread. I don't want anyone worrying about getting spammed or privacy violations. Let's keep it all anonymous. Thanks.

07-07-2006, 01:05 AM	#10
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	Anonomous!? I want recognition in your journal! This is something I'd definately like to be a part of, Surveyor. Privacy doesn't concern me so much either, so whichever way is easiest for you, plus I think I'll make a post with my answers. It sounds like fun. __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity?

07-07-2006, 04:33 PM	#11
Surveyor Hobbit Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 30	Hi. I have created a blog for this survey. The blog is Surveying Middle-earth. Thanks.

07-07-2006, 04:35 PM	#12
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	soooo...do you want us to PM you the answer....or...post it here...? __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

07-07-2006, 11:23 PM	#13
Meriadoc Brandybuck Magnificent Master of Buckland Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Buckland, U.S.A. Posts: 1,138	I'm in if it doesn't require giving out my e-mail address. It looks like I won't have to, though. __________________ But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say to much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place. -Meriadoc Brandybuck Is there anything I can do that wouldn't inconvenience me?.-Adrian Monk Hogan: What's a definate factor that we can count on? Newkirk: We don't know what we're doing. Do you wanna split a pineapple? -Shawn Spencer

07-07-2006, 11:59 PM	#14
Surveyor Hobbit Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 30	Durinsbane, I'm using the blog to post the questions. You can answer by using comments. You have the option of making it anonymous, but if you do want credit--or if you're willing to be quoted, just let me know and I'll keep your forum name with your answers. And if I do quote someone, I'll ask for their permission first (as long as I have their forum name, of course).

07-08-2006, 12:48 AM	#15
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	alright than. thanks. so....i'll put the forum name than... __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih... Last edited by durinsbane2244 : 07-08-2006 at 12:52 AM.

07-08-2006, 12:50 PM	#16
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	aaaand, done. yay! i answered. __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

07-08-2006, 01:23 PM	#17
jammi567 I'm Eru, and lord of Arda. Join Date: May 2006 Location: southampton, hampshire Posts: 2,609	don't think me thick, but i still don't get how to do it? __________________ Vote for me, Jammi567, in the 2008 Entmoot elections, and you will get many of the things we need: free, unbiased, newspapers; a strong alliance with many countries, so that war doesn't start over someone breaking their nose on a doorframe; etc, etc This forum is lonely. It's new and confused, and doesn't have many friends yet. Help today by joining for free, posting, and posting this message and link in your sig. So please, join and help make it feel welcomed and loved.

07-08-2006, 02:39 PM	#18
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	go to the bottom, where it says, "comments (0)" click that, and make a comment! (i.e. answers)...thickhead... __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

07-08-2006, 04:01 PM	#20
durinsbane2244 Dreamweaver Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Misty Mountains, where the spirits go... Posts: 3,560	and don't you forget it, mate! __________________ Lord, what fools these mortals be! ---------------- We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. ---------------- Shanti, shanti, shantih...

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