Expert: Mel - 6/26/2007

Question
Dear Mel

I am a student at the University of Sheffield undertaking a master’s degree in Librarianship. As part of the course I am required to undertake research as part of my dissertation. I will be evaluating an aspect of a system called MovieLens. The aspect of the system is the MovieLens QuickPick Gift Recommender which provides recommendations in response to a given movie title. It would be of immense help to me if you would be able to participate in this research, particularly in the light of the fact that you consider yourself knowledgeable about films.

If you would be willing to participate in my research I would require you to provide me with a movie title in response to this email and an email address where I could send a questionnaire in the Microsoft Word Format. I will take the title you provide me with, take down the recommendations given by QuickPick and ask you to fill in the questionnaire based on those titles (which will be listed in the questionnaire itself). I have piloted this questionnaire and it should take you no more than about 10 minutes to complete. An information sheet giving full details about the research will also be included. University regulations require that research participants give explicit consent to participate. It will be considered that you have given your consent by providing me with a movie title.

If you would like to participate please email me with a movie title and email address as requested above.

Thank you for your time.

Mikael Barnard.

Answer
Hello Mikael,

I would be happy to help you in any way that I can. However, as this question and my answer will be displayed on a public board, I do not wish to send an e-mail address for everyone to see. If you would like to reply with your own e-mail address, then I will get back to you seperately.

For my guidance, does the film I select have to be from any particular time period?; should it be a favourite of mine?; or just the first title that comes into my head?

Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.