Of course there is one element left – my dissertation.
It is very important for me to do my dissertation research
on an LGBT themed topic. Having tried to do my projects and essays on
LGBT-relevant areas I’ve been amazed, and somewhat frustrated by the lack of
data out there.
It seems general social research isn’t exploring how the
issues it tackles affect LGBT people, or where this is done it isn’t done
consistently. This means different research can’t easily be compared because
different questions are asked, or there aren’t enough LGBT people taking part in
a research project to make populations comparable.
So where does my dissertation come in?
I posted a while back about wanting to look at the
behaviours of men in civil partnerships to see if they tended to display less
risky behaviour. I wanted to use the data collected by sigma research who do a
fantastic sexual health survey. They collect the data, but don’t look at that
question themselves. Sadly, whilst acknowledging it is an interesting question they
refused to share their data with me.
So, being me, I decided what the hell-crap-damn – I’ll
collect my own data. Ha! Take that wise, and experienced researchers!
My dissertation proposal has been signed off, although I am
looking at a wider range of life experiences to see how these impact on
behaviours and social attitudes. I’ve started an advertising campaign using banner ads on some LGBT websites,
and flyers to hand out, which mean I should reach about 250,000 gay and bisexual men. With luck
that will get me at least few hundred responses.
I’m very very excited and can’t wait get my hands on some
data to get modelling. It should all be done by the beginning of September and
in the meantime while people are completing my online research questionnaire I
will be doing a lot of background reading which will have the added advantage
of expanding my horizons about issues affecting gay people.
It would be remiss of me, of course, not to plug my research
questionnaire… so if you are a gay or bisexual man, or a man who has sex with
men – and you are resident in the UK – then you are more than welcome to take
part at www.shrodis.com. It’s completely
anonymous and every response is appreciated J
4 comments:
Hi Mike,
Done. Been honest. I'm not from London, but hopefully the data will still be worthwhile. Indeed it might reveal some interesting differences between the North and the South of the country.
I would like to read the paper once it's been marked and you have your masters. Think it will be interesting reading. Why not try and get it published in a journal?
A x
You're already almost done? Wow... Time flies.
I've finished your questioner. Hope it helps
Statement 7a struck me as an odd remark in a question about being comfortable with one's homosexuality. Being comfortable with one's homosexuality doesn't mean one can't dislike like the company of (some of) the camp. The reasons why one might not like the company of (some of) the camp - because, for instance, camp people's campness sometimes seems to involve a tiresome dislike of their own sexuality - need have nothing to do with being uncomfortable with one's own sexuality.
Perhaps the statement you really had in mind was: "I don't like the company of camp people in case others draw conclusions about my own sexuality."
Thanks all. More than 100 respondents so far... Cross fingers I'll get many more.
Thanks also for the feedbackj on the questions. These have been tweaked a tad!
X
Post a Comment