Mmmm - difficult one this, whilst agreeing with some posters about the waste of tax payers money in times such as these, I have seen plenty more outlandish university studies being done, I would like to know who exactly the OP is and what he is hoping to gain from this.

... or alternatively, just don't take part in his study and be done with it.

The OP did not suggest world domination or anything, but just asked for participants. If you don't want to do it, don't! It's not a great loss to science.

No offence intended, but as a fellow scientist and researcher, I really think we are a bit to tetchy about nothing. It's research, and it will enhance our knowledge. No scientist has to provide foolproof evidence that their research will lead to a cure in cancer.

Many times people have started threads on here asking people to complet questionnaires for research purposes. I have never seen anyone reacting like this to any of those threads, i must say!

Actually Muttley you are spot on, I now wonder if the subject topic has touched some nerves. Come on people, Doctor Who should all be about tolerance. Science is not just about worthwhile causes, most research focuses on entirely different issues.

Now, I'm an English freak, and would at one time have found any publication on the use development of the semi-colon with special reference to it's use in Shakespeare as irresistible.

I wouldn't put Torchwood in the same class.

Edit; again I am surprised at how seriously some posters are taking this?

I would just like to wish the OP good luck with their research. I assume this is part of a study for a doctorate in how the media presents issues around sexuality where both Torchwood and Doctor Who provide interesting examples.

I'm a tax payer and I work in education. I have no problem with this study at all. Religious Education GCSE includes how various moral and religious views are presented by the media
including topics like euthanasia, marriage, womens' rights and indeed homosexuality.

Last year I read a book Called Illuminating Torchwood - Essays on Narrative, Character and Sexuality in the BBC Series.
http://whoviavortex.blogspot.com/201...wood-book.html

It is an academic treatment of several themes and is part of a series of books - Critical Explorations in Science Fiction. There is, therefore, an academic history of exploring sociological issues through the media. Would the 'taxpayers' object to looking at how this issue is presented in books or plays or is it just that its a TV programme?

Six million people watched Children of Earth and many of them were interested in the relationship between Jack and Ianto and how it was handled, so I think this is worthy of study. How people perceive the character of Captain Jack Harkness is important in considering how the media deals with issues around sexuality because he is unique.

I wish I could join you and if you ever want any written comments I'd be happy to chip in my views.

I'm also surprised at how seriously people are taking this. If I see a stranded motorist, do I make my decision to help based on whether their car looks well looked after and whether the driver 'deserves' to be helped, or the fact that help is needed?

I lurk a lot around here, but it takes a lot to make me as disappointed in forum members as this. I would have thought that DS is the obvious place to post such a request, and I'd definitely help if I was closer.

Can I just say that I love you Tumpy. You are wonderful!

have you got an ISBN for that

I've put in a link as the first one didn't work. The ISBN no is

978-0-7864-4570-7

The editor is Andrew Ireland.

I don't agree with all of the views but they are interesting.

Hehehe.. Lach and Tumpy sitting in a tree...
Sorry.

I agree with them both though, all research finds a place somewhere in our society, and to complain that is should not be done because it comes out of your taxes is ridiculous. One of the NCO's at my Air Cadet squadron once did something like this, showed us an episode of Torchwood, but instead she was finding out about violence and the medias potrayal of that, for one of her college courses. So there is a point in this research, but i'll go more into that in the next paragraph.

Claims that this research is irrelevant is even more ridiculous. With the amount of things that get put on TV, surely finding out how they affect us is important? People are very quick to exclaim things like "Video Games turn our teenagers into thugs!", and the "What Next Brigade" didn't complain about that research, but it must have come from the same sort of place as this! No, finding these things out, I believe, is important to furthering our colective human knowledge of ourselves- humanity.

And if it turns out there is a link, and watching Torchwood does turn us into gun-toting, alien-hunting sexual deviants (ok, but you get my point), then surely you wouldn't be complaining about this research if we then took the program of the air and put an end to peadophilia or something, no, then you'd be saying "Oh, i'm so glad that person did this research, and we've put an end to these horrible crimes!"

Lastly, or finally, and this is the point that annoys me the most. YOU DON'T GET A CHOICE. It doesn't matter if its "your money", thats not the point. It isn't "your money", its the governments money for letting you live here! Its on par with paying your landlord rent, then complaining if he spent that money on alcohol. You wouldn't go up to him and say "I don't approve of you spending MY money on drink!" You've never had a choice, and we never will have a choice. They know what to spend it on, and we just have to trust that they know best.

Disclaimer: Theres a lot of hyperbole in this post, so be warned. Also, the last paragraph does not mean that I support the current governments choices, or our method of government.

Some far more reasonable posts on this second page. On the 'money' issue, those annoyed by this research are assuming the OP is getting some sort of funding to do this esearch, but this may not be true, he hasn't told us. Plenty of arts/humanities researchers fund themselves and work part-time. The only 'government money' that's undoubtedly involved here is a small proportion of the salaries of the relevant university staff, and that won't amount to very much.

Dear all

Well it is better to be discussed than not to be discussed! Please be reassured that this research is not paid for by the University or the Government. It is my own personal doctoral
research and as such I have paid for it myself through a lot of hard work - I have conducted
the research part time whilst also working nearly full time. Secondly although the research
is based around Torchwood I would challenge those who suggest that this renders it frivolous. Unfortunately your interest in this forum and discussion of all things Dr Who and Torchwood
suggests that as entertainment it is popular and therefore it has some power with those audiences watching it. Furthermore this study focuses on Torchwood but it also aims to look at
attitudes around sexuality and sexual labelling - something which for many young people
still presents challenges therefore I would hope that it will offer some insight into improving
but still difficult attitudes in this area. Finally the research is not designed to be representative as it is a qualitative pieces of research which is focused on language and interpretation of media rather than comparison between one set of people and another.

I hope that helps to clarify.

Please note that if you have tried to email me regarding the research some are reporting bounce backs on the previous email - please try c.d.haslop@sussex.ac.uk instead.
Thanks
Craig

For what it is worth, I don't think you needed to justify your self-funded status. Anyone who thinks they can gauge the scientific merit of a study from a small request for participation has no idea about academia or research.

Just read one of your papers, interesting stuff.

I purposefully haven't got involved in this discussion because, I think people who disagree have taken a far more draconian stance on this than any thread I have seen, and I cannot understand it.

Its fine, as a tax payer to disagree with how your taxes are spent, but to use such inciteful words as "disgusting" has really stumped me!

There are thousands of Uni courses out there, and thousands of ways that the courses are conducted. The Uni itself would have sanctioned this study, and I know how hard it is to have a study sanctioned at these places, you really have to prove a conclusion you want to achieve, its not all about having a "Jolly".

Modern programmes like Torchwood make a point of addressing some touchy issues around sexuality, violence and crime, they are not supposed to be realistic stories but the issues are as real as any drama would portray.

Personally, I am disapointed in the way members have treated the OP, I think s/he came in here hoping to get some positive views on the subject, not on them personally or how they are meeting the requirements of the Degree or Doctorate.

I agree with Granny's view that as a tax payer you have every right to complain, but not through attacking the OP (not you I know Granny) I also agree with Tumpy, this is a study about media portrayal, not a Study on Torchwood. Programmes that choose to use these issues seriously, are valid for stdy imo.

I wonder how many of the attackers either never went to Uni and wished they had or did go to University at a time when you would get plenty of disposable cash from a grant and didn't have to repay a penny.

Personally, I wish the OP well in their studies, its not easy studying for this qualifications and is just as hard as doing a job imo.

Well done OP, hopefully there will be a few tails between legs!

I was merely wondering waht the OP hoped to gain from the research and why. All research has to be funded from somewhere but some is more worthwhile than others not that I'm suggesting that this OP's research is not worthwhile just curious as to what he hopes to learn.

If so and can't get through please try craigh_@hotmail.com
£10 for talking about Torchwood !

Hi there are stil places in the Tues or Weds evening groups this week in central london - there is £10 to cover expenses. The email to reply to is below - or message me here - I would be very grateful if you could help with the research.

Craig


To label or not to label? Research regarding the potential
of open ended sexual representation on British TV - call for
participants

I am conducting research at the University of Sussex in the Media and
film and music department investigating the potential of open-ended sexual
representation on British television - that is representation of
sexuality without labelling. As part of this I am looking for
volunteers to give just 1 and 1/2 hours of their time to attend a screening of the
BBC TV series Torchwood and a follow up discussion of 45 minutes. All
research will be treated in complete confidence and results used will be
anonymous.

The focus groups will take place in Central London on the Tuesday the 7th and Wednesday 8th
June 2011 at the Drill Hall starting at 6.45pm at the Drill Hall , 16 Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX
near Tottenham Court Road tube. If you think you can help
please get back to me at craigh_@hotmail.com with the date you can make and whether you're employed and if so what your occupation is.


Please pass on to friends and colleagues who you think might be
interested. I am looking for people from a variety of backgrounds.

Thanks in advance


Craig Haslop
Doctoral Researcher, Media and Cultural Studies
University of Sussex