For the upcoming research assignment, it is quite tempting to choose a site that we already participate in, or have extensive knowledge in. This is probably because it would be much more enjoyable to research a site that we already enjoy. Also, it would make it much easier to craft specific questions geared toward what you already know about the site. Although this may seem like a benefit, it is also the biggest flaw in choosing a site you already use. The reason this is bad is because you would already be biased to the site that you already participate in. The goal of this assignment is to research from a nuetral perspective in order to get the facts and opinions of real people from the site. If you already know a lot about the site, you are more likely to create probing questions instead of getting the true ideas of who you research.
Another flaw with researching a site you already use is that you probably know some people on that site. It would be really easy to get someone you already have contact with to let you interview them, but once again it would be biased. Most likely, this person would view things in the same way you do. Overall, it is best to research a site that you have never been a part of, or maybe even never heard of. This will give you the best idea of what the people really think, without letting your own opinions interfere. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to check out a new website, maybe even one you were skeptical about in the beginning. By intereviewing and getting other people's opinions, your own opinion about the site could completely change. I plan on using a site that I have never been on, giving me complete nuetral freedom to discover things for myself.
