Research Guidelines

The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum has a long history of cooperating with research. However, our primary purpose is to serve our members, and to protect them from individuals seeking to use The Cauldron to prey upon others, whether through inappropriate solicitation, unethical research, or even simple spamming.

NOTE (Added 28 March 2007): While I would think it obvious, these rules apply to sending members PMs and Email from the board with research oriented surveys and questions. If you are using this board in any way to question/query our members for research, you must obtain permission first. Trying to avoid getting permission by sending PMs or Emails to members from the board is rude and annoying behavior.

Primary and Secondary School Researchers:

Please read our "Pagan Primer" (at http://www.ecauldron.com/newpagan.php) before asking questions on our message board. Many members will be happy to help you with your school project by answering questions, but we will not write your paper -- or do your basic research -- for you. You may find it best to post your question in the Teen folder. Be up front about the fact that your question(s) are for a school paper or school project, that way those who respond know they are responding for your paper or project. Remember that many of our most knowledgeable members only log on once or twice a week, so it is best to ask for help well before your project is due.

Post-Secondary and Professional Researchers:

If you are simply looking for ideas for accurate books or have similar simple questions, the above paragraph applies. However, If you wish to use The Cauldron for actual research (quoting posts, asking detailed questions, requesting members fill out surveys, etc.), then we require that you contact the hosts by email before beginning your research so they can discuss your research needs with you and try to work out a way that you can do your research while still protecting our members. Most projects can be approved with only a few email exchanges, especially if you provide details about yourself, your institution, your research, and exactly what you would like from The Cauldron in your first message.

General Research Restrictions:

* Any studies in which you will use direct quotes from member posts or personal information about members must be opt-in.

* The Cauldron does not participate in "gotcha" studies. The Cauldron is not reality TV. Posting an inflammatory question/message, or pretending to hold a particular viewpoint, in order to "see what happens" is grounds for an immediate ban and a formal complaint filed with your institution.

* Any research thread must state that it is for research in the first post.

* In any case where The Cauldron's rules for research are stricter than the ethical guidelines of your institution or profession, the Cauldron's stricter rules apply.