Was it something I said or did?

[LBJ10]

I hope it is okay that I ask this here, I know some of you are in school so maybe you can provide some insight.

I am working with a student right now on an independent research project. I didn’t know any professors at my school that had experience in the area, but I knew a professor at my school where I got my undergrad degree. I contacted them and I was really polite. I asked them a lot of questions because, quite frankly, I wasn’t familiar with this sort of research. We went back and forth numerous times. Then the professor just stopped responding to my e-mails. I sent several, thinking maybe they didn’t see the others. Still no response. I gave up and I ended up seeking assistance elsewhere. Now this student is wishing to write a paper and would like to use some of the information provided in the e-mails by this professor (citing it as if it had been an interview). I tried contacting this professor again to ask their permission. I apologized to them, saying that I didn’t mean to overstep any boundaries. No response. I just don’t understand what I did wrong, I thought I had a good relationship with this person when I was their student. Why are they mad at me? More importantly though, can this information be used without their consent?

[Michelle&Lolli]

I wouldn’t take it personally per se. There could be many reasons why they stopped responding. If they weren’t willing to help, I would think they would have told you that upfront.

I would check with the student’s professor (?) on if the emails can be used as a cited source. I *think* it could be used as general information as long as it’s not like super technical or specialized info. Like how you read a source and then incorporate some of what you read/learn in a paper. If all else fails, you could always contact the English department. lol

[LBJ10]

Thanks! I am trying not to take it personally, but it is really hard. I am confused, but I could be over-analyzing things. It hurts a little, you know? As for the student, I can speak with the coordinator that is in charge of the program. Hopefully they will have a better idea of what is expected. Since this student is in high school, perhaps the “rules” aren’t as strict when it comes to these things. Generally though, the person you are quoting from a personal interview is supposed to be made aware that you will be using information from the discussion.

[Michelle&Lolli]

I used to be an English major, but interviews never came into it. LOL So I wasn’t sure exactly what the protocol is. Plus it’s been 6 years since I was in college and a lot has changed since then. And of course, back when I was in high school, the “rules” weren’t that strict compared to college.

I can understand how it hurts some if you were particularly close to this professor. I’m sure you feel like maybe he/she is blowing you off. But maybe they are just busy. Isn’t spring break coming up for lots of schools? I remember – never failed – always had like 5 major projects due before spring break. Or maybe they’ve been sick. Or maybe they had an accident. Who knows. Don’t drive yourself batty though.

[Beka27]

Can you arrange a meeting with the professor, call the office, or… just show up when you know he/she will be around? I’d be kinda annoyed to just get blown off like that. At least respond so I know what’s up…

[ScooterandAnnette]

Many times professors also to consulting work on the side and get paid for either analyzing data or explaining it – it’s entirely possible that your professor felt you were taking advantage of your friendship to obtain information for free that he otherwise would have been charging for.
– Annette

[Isabelle]

I was an English minor and had to do an interview paper. The person needs to give consent for the interview being in your paper, and you need it cite it as an interview. At least at my university that is how it was done. I would suggest contacting another professor or the head of the department or even stop by the professor’s office. The first thing that came to my mind was: is the professor okay? is the professer on sabbitical or medical leave? was the professor fired? I suggest if you aren’t sure to make sure that the professor is still working, that could be the reason why he/she hasn’t responded. Be friendly and say that if the person isn’t interested in helping any longer, could they recommend a few others who might? That way you leave the situation in as good a shape as possible. You never know if you might have to take him/her for a class later on.

[Molzy]

Honestly, it sounds to me like maybe your e-mails are ending up in his junk folder for some reason. I would try maybe giving him a call, or e-mailing from another account to see if he responds. Professors are usually pretty good about responding, even if it is to say no.

Check and make sure he isn’t on sabbatical or something as well.

[LBJ10]

Michelle&Lolli – They starting “blowing me off” back in January, unless you are referring to their lack of response to this last e-mail (asking for permission).

Beka – I’m not there, so I couldn’t just pop in.

ScooterandAnnette – Hmm, maybe. I wasn’t asking about data though, more like their opinion on what the best way to be to set up an experiment. Do they charge for that sort of thing? I mean, I would think that would fall under a professor who likes to teach helping out a former student. Maybe I’m wrong though.

Isabelle – As far as I know, this person isn’t on sabbatical. I wouldn’t have any idea if something happened to them or not though since my only form of communication with them is through e-mail. I did seek advise elsewhere (at the school I am currently attending), so really all I want from them is their permission to use their e-mails as if they were an interview. There’s no worry of having a class with them in the future since I have already graduated from there (I’m in grad school now at a different school). I just feel, I don’t know, like I’m not important. As a former student of theirs, you would think that they would want to help me (or at least politely turn me down). I feel almost betrayed.

Molzy – If they were getting my e-mails before, why would they be going into a junk folder now? Is that possible? I guess maybe if they changed their e-mail settings or something…

[ScooterandAnnette]

LB, yes it’s called “consulting”. Depending on how many questions you were asking, over what period of time and how much of his time it was taking, your professor might have felt that in essence he was setting up or designing the experiment for you and might have felt you were taking advantage of him.

Like I said, many profs, particularly those in the sciences, do consulting on the side. Depending on the prof and the level of their reputation in the field rates often range from $250-400 an hour.
– Annette

[Molzy]

LB, I think it would definitely be worth giving them a call or having the person who is doing the interview to e-mail them about it. If the school upgraded their systems or something, sometimes you don’t even know and it can start sending things into the junk folder. I try to check mine weekly for that reason, but I have definitely missed things.

[LBJ10]

Posted By ScooterandAnnette on 03/09/2011 11:07 AM

LB, yes it’s called “consulting”. Depending on how many questions you were asking, over what period of time and how much of his time it was taking, your professor might have felt that in essence he was setting up or designing the experiment for you and might have felt you were taking advantage of him.

Like I said, many profs, particularly those in the sciences, do consulting on the side. Depending on the prof and the level of their reputation in the field rates often range from $250-400 an hour.
– Annette

I guess I didn’t feel like I was asking them to design the experiment. I had said that I was planning on having the student do x,y,z and then asked if they thought that would be the best way to do it. I just thought that since they were more knowledgable in the area that they would be able to provide some insight. The thought of this professor thinking I was trying to take advantage of them never crossed my mind. I really was just a lost student looking for help. I wasn’t finding it at my current school, so I thought this was the next best thing. I don’t feel what I was asking would warrant a $200 fee. This is for a high school student that is participating in a school program!

[LBJ10]

Posted By Molzy on 03/09/2011 11:15 AM
LB, I think it would definitely be worth giving them a call or having the person who is doing the interview to e-mail them about it. If the school upgraded their systems or something, sometimes you don’t even know and it can start sending things into the junk folder. I try to check mine weekly for that reason, but I have definitely missed things.

I almost afraid to call there since I would probably end up having to explain the situation to the department head since that is who you get when you call the phone number for the department. Having the student e-mail this professor might be a good idea though.

[ScooterandAnnette]

I know, but you have to appreciate their side of things. Research profs tend to get a lot of requests like this, sometimes they’re willing to provide some assitance, sometimes not. It’s not part of their job. You said you asked a lot of questions and sent several emails, it’s quite possible it got to the point where he just said enough is enough, I don’t have time for this and started ignoring them.
– Annette

[LBJ10]

Yes, we did go back and forth a few times. I just wish if they did feel that way, that they just would have told me so rather than ignoring my e-mails. Is that really any way to treat a student? Granted I am a former student, but I took several classes with this professor and even went with them on a trip to do some field research. I didn’t mean to overstep any boundaries and I did apologize for that. The least they could do is respond to let me know what is up. At least let me know if the information can be used or not.

[Lintini]

A lot of professors are stretched thin these days teaching multiple classes and doing outside things as well, it can be really hard to get ahold of my professors sometimes. I wanted to talk to my band director about getting my masters in music theory or conducting and it was like pulling teeth to get a meeting with him. If that school is on quarter systems, it is finals week this week for us California kids, so maybe other quarter systems are also on that same time frame?

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