Anyone willing to help with some research?

[DavidandLeahZ]

(The following message has been approved by Corey Martin, President of DISboards.com)

Hello DISboards members! Have you ever wondered what happens when people who have formed online relationships meet up offline? We are researchers from Western Illinois University who have wondered the same thing. If you are planning to meet up with someone you have met on www.disboards.com sometime in the next six months we hope that you will consider participating in our study.

Participation will occur in two phases. The first phase requires you to click on the link below and complete a short survey. Later, after you meet up with someone from the DISboards offline, we will email you a second survey. Each survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. We would greatly appreciate your help!

If you have any questions concerning this study at any time please contact us at ComResearcher@gmail.com

Please follow this link to the survey: http://OnlinetoOffline.questionpro.com

Thank you,
Dr. Bree McEwan
Dept. of Communication
Western Illinois University

David Zanolla, M. A.
Dept. of Communication
Western Illinois University

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

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[DavidandLeahZ]

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[DavidandLeahZ]

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[DavidandLeahZ]

bump

 

[AlleyKat]

(The following message has been approved by Corey Martin, President of DISboards.com)

Hello DISboards members! Have you ever wondered what happens when people who have formed online relationships meet up offline? We are researchers from Western Illinois University who have wondered the same thing. If you are planning to meet up with someone you have met on www.disboards.com sometime in the next six months we hope that you will consider participating in our study.

Participation will occur in two phases. The first phase requires you to click on the link below and complete a short survey. Later, after you meet up with someone from the DISboards offline, we will email you a second survey. Each survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. We would greatly appreciate your help!

If you have any questions concerning this study at any time please contact us at ComResearcher@gmail.com

Please follow this link to the survey: http://OnlinetoOffline.questionpro.com

Thank you,
Dr. Bree McEwan
Dept. of Communication
Western Illinois University

David Zanolla, M. A.
Dept. of Communication
Western Illinois University

I wonder if online friends generally hit it off after meeting in person. I also wonder if the online friendship remains the same.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe repost this on the DIS Meets subforum? That's probably the most likely forum where DISers who first meet online subsequently meet in person.

 

[pumba]

After being on the boards for over ten years, we have met quite a few of the disers.
Some of them have become part of our life. There when we need support and there to enjoy our accomplishments....

I hope that the survey you are conducting will produce the same results from others that I have been so lucky to have happen to me.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

We still need around 100 more people to participate....come join in!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

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[NHdisneylover]

I don't think I have plans to meet anyone in the next 6 months. I DID meet my best friend originally on the DIS. We have since vacationed together repeatedly--including at his home. Met a couple of other close friends here as well (also vacationed together and been to one another's homes).
We just recently (last week) had a mother and her 4 daughters stay a week with us. We met first on the DIS, then on the facebook page for our cruise and then on the cruise in May. obviously we hit it off well enough to have her and the girls stay for a week.

I generally find that if I click with someone online we click in real life too

Anyway, I do not think I can help you because of our lack of plans to meet anyone in the next few months, but I thought I would throw that perspective out there (and bump your thread in the process)

 

[Luvchefmic]

Well okay now you only need 99 more ! I have met several after starting friendships here and I will be meeting another in 3 months so count me in

Ruthie

just did your initial survey

 

[Hoodie]

Have no plans to meet anyone from the Dis, but I met my husband on a political internet forum. I've met several of those people in real life too and have formed great friendships.

Hope you get the people you need!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

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[Pikester]

Wish I had seen this before my June trip to Hershey Park, PA where I met up with 4 DISers. There were 3 other DISers that had planned on meeting with us but they had some "things" pop up that required them to cancel.


I've also had a meet with a DISer at WDW during Spectro Magic.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I hope you post the results here. I think the whole idea of merging an on-line identity with a real-life identity is very interesting. I wonder how much it changes the people? Do they stop being as genuine? No way would I want my neighbors to know what I actually thought, people in real life get along because of the truths they hide, not because of the truths they speak. For example, I am on FB but never ever offer any insights or thoughts on there any more than I do in person, it's all very cheery and superficial. In real life we talk about kids and vacations, kids sports and school but on-line it's the news and how Mother's Day upsets me never mind the fact that I will give my thoughts about a strangers dilemma... topics that are off limits in person. I can't imagine I'm the only person who behaves this way. The whole project is very curious.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I hope you post the results here. I think the whole idea of merging an on-line identity with a real-life identity is very interesting. I wonder how much it changes the people? Do they stop being as genuine? No way would I want my neighbors to know what I actually thought, people in real life get along because of the truths they hide, not because of the truths they speak. For example, I am on FB but never ever offer any insights or thoughts on there any more than I do in person, it's all very cheery and superficial. In real life we talk about kids and vacations, kids sports and school but on-line it's the news and how Mother's Day upsets me never mind the fact that I will give my thoughts about a strangers dilemma... topics that are off limits in person. I can't imagine I'm the only person who behaves this way. The whole project is very curious.

Hey good morning! Just wanted to let you know from my experience. While I have certainly gotten involved in the "heated" threads I have met people over the years in real life that we started our friendship on the boards. Usually there is so much more we find in common than our love of all things Disney.

It usually starts with a PM to say Oh cute dog in your signature, or a follow up PM to inquire how an ill parent or spouse is doing or even a mutual shaking of the head..can you believe what happened on that thread and a good laugh. Sometimes it goes no where sometimes both people feel a common bond. Next thing you know in my experience you let your real self shine through even more. email addresses and phone numbers are exchanged and a Dis meet set up.

So far its been all good & I have made friends that I will have for life. You just have to be careful and trust your gut...must people are good.

Ruthie

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

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[mookie]

I don't qualify to participate in your survey, but just wanted to say good luck from a former WIU alum!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

I don't qualify to participate in your survey, but just wanted to say good luck from a former WIU alum!

What year? Major?