# Policy on homework help **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 3, 2016, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826 "2016-03-03T13:35:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/1 "2016-03-03T13:35:09Z")
I disagree with closing [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=785741). The original question : \*My daughter has a term paper due and she needs to interview three sources (10 questions) about custodial kidnapping. [snip] If any of you can help and are willing to answer 10 questions, please let me know. \* \*\*engineer\_comp\_geek \*\*stated “We don’t allow these types of things here.” and closed the thread. The policy as quoted by engineer\_comp\_geek is : \*Please do not ask other members to do your homework or provide input for your article, paper, or other off-board project. \* As far as I can see, the OP did not break that rule. He didn’t request people to assist with the interviews. He didn’t ask for input. He didn’t ask what questions should the interview contain. He didn’t ask for help analysing the replies. What he did ask for is volunteers willing to \*be \*interviewed. That is all. Plenty of people have asked for similar help in the past with no problem. I don’t see any good reason for forbidding this request. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/2 "2016-03-03T13:46:12Z")
I had the same thought. It would be good to get some insights from the mods on why that thread was closed. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/3 "2016-03-03T13:51:58Z")
I’m not the one who closed the thread, but my reading of it is that the question constitutes asking for input on either a paper or an off-board project—take your pick. I don’t interpret that rule so narrowly as to only mean asking for specific answers to specific homework questions. And, as noted in the part of the agreement **ECG** quoted in the thread, that’s the sort of thing that should get moderator approval before posting, I think. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/4 "2016-03-03T14:06:56Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I’m not the one who closed the thread, but my reading of it is that the question constitutes asking for input on either a paper or an off-board project—take your pick. I don’t interpret that rule so narrowly as to only mean asking for specific answers to specific homework questions. > > And, as noted in the part of the agreement **ECG** quoted in the thread, that’s the sort of thing that should get moderator approval before posting, I think. Playing Lucifer’s Barrister though – threads asking for ideas about something (poisons, cars, guns, whatever) for stories or books they (the poster) are working on are not all that unusual and haven’t included the “I cleared this with the Mods first” caveat. Should those be closed as well? They are also off-board projects in about the same sense. Is the difference how long the poster has been active or is there another difference I’m not seeing or thinking of? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/5 "2016-03-03T14:13:58Z")
From the rules… \*Please do not ask … members to… provide input for your…paper. \* From the OP linked above. \*We would just need your name, email, place of business and phone number. She could email you the questions. Please help my high schooler!!! \* Clearly inappropriate IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/6 "2016-03-03T14:16:37Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Playing Lucifer’s Barrister though – threads asking for ideas about something (poisons, cars, guns, whatever) for stories or books they (the poster) are working on are not all that unusual and haven’t included the “I cleared this with the Mods first” caveat. Should those be closed as well? They are also off-board projects in about the same sense. Is the difference how long the poster has been active or is there another difference I’m not seeing or thinking of? I see another distinction. In my mind, there’s a difference between saying, “Hey, let’s all throw some ideas around in this thread for a book I’m working on” versus saying, “I’m soliciting 25 Dopers to each sit down and write a separate chapter of my novel for me.” I’d agree that the former is not uncommon here, and I wouldn’t have any inclination to shut those down. But the latter feels like a different animal, to me, and one that falls under the rule in question. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/7 "2016-03-03T15:41:53Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I see another distinction. > > In my mind, there’s a difference between saying, “Hey, let’s all throw some ideas around in this thread for a book I’m working on” versus saying, **“I’m soliciting 25 Dopers to each sit down and write a separate chapter of my novel for me.”** I’d agree that the former is not uncommon here, and I wouldn’t have any inclination to shut those down. But the latter feels like a different animal, to me, and one that falls under the rule in question. With all due respect, the request to “interview three sources” hardly equates to “write a separate chapter of my novel for me.” I have done classroom and paid work that involved interviews, and at the very least it entailed collating and summarizing results; in virtually all cases it meant that I had to apply analytic skills to interpret and characterize the findings. You act like it is a given that anything Dopers say will be cut’n’paste into a paper that will be handed in with no filtering/additional work of any kind by the girl in question. How do you arrive at this conclusion? If you aren’t sure, couldn’t you do the poster the courtesy of asking for clarification? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/8 "2016-03-03T16:00:01Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > In my mind, there’s a difference between saying, “Hey, let’s all throw some ideas around in this thread for a book I’m working on” versus saying, “I’m soliciting 25 Dopers to each sit down and write a separate chapter of my novel for me.” I’d agree that the former is not uncommon here, and I wouldn’t have any inclination to shut those down. But the latter feels like a different animal, to me, and one that falls under the rule in question. I don’t think this would work as an official criterion, but a good rule of thumb is, don’t start a thread that’d _only_ be of benefit or interest to yourself (the OP). ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/9 "2016-03-03T16:13:52Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > With all due respect, the request to “interview three sources” hardly equates to “write a separate chapter of my novel for me.” I have done classroom and paid work that involved interviews, and at the very least it entailed collating and summarizing results; in virtually all cases it meant that I had to apply analytic skills to interpret and characterize the findings. > > You act like it is a given that anything Dopers say will be cut’n’paste into a paper that will be handed in with no filtering/additional work of any kind by the girl in question. How do you arrive at this conclusion? If you aren’t sure, couldn’t you do the poster the courtesy of asking for clarification? Actually, the point of my analogy was not to suggest that no other work was going to be done by the requester in either case. The point was that there’s a difference between something intending to foster discussion here on the board (or that may have such an impact) versus a solicitation to cull people on the board for something completely outside of the board’s universe. I think that, generally, propositions in the latter category end up either in the Marketplace, or are run by the moderation to get approval before posting. This is also from the Registration Agreement (with my emphases added): > [@Registration Agreement](#): > > **This message board is intended as a medium for public discussion.** Do not post spam,\*\* including but not limited to\*\* advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, **solicitations** , offers to trade or barter, charitable appeals, or other messages primarily intended to promote a cause, venture, organization, event (except Straight Dope-related events), website, or other entity or activity, **whether or not money is involved**. We allow exceptions for worthy causes (in our sole opinion) if you obtain prior permission from a moderator or administrator. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/10 "2016-03-03T16:20:14Z")
> [@](#): > > _From the OP linked above._ > _We would just need your_\* name, email, place of business and phone number\*\*. She could email you the questions. Please help my high schooler!!! \* I understand that if the questions are to be e-mailed an e-mail is required, by why would this assignment require the other information in bold? That sounds more like what a scammer or phisher would ask for than a legit student. Purely my opinion, but without a reason for all that it struck me a suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/11 "2016-03-03T16:21:08Z")
Yeah, I didn’t see that so much as a “homework is bad” issue as a “don’t spam us with requests for help on outside projects” issue. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/12 "2016-03-03T16:24:18Z")
I think this more runs afoul of the off board projects rule. We have closed threads in the past in which people were being solicited to participate in interviews, research projects, etc. We ask for mod approval ahead of time for any such projects. The fact that these interviews are for a homework assignment I think is somewhat incidental to the fact that the person was using the board to find interview subjects. However, the fact that this was the student’s mom trying to drum up participants for her child’s homework assignment does add another problem about using the board to facilitate getting homework done. ---
**Author:** ![FasterThanMeerkats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@FasterThanMeerkats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FasterThanMeerkats)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/13 "2016-03-03T16:37:22Z")
It’s a greyish area, the OP knew it was a grey area when the request was made, and the mods should get the benefit of the doubt in such decisions. No harm for asking, no foul for a polite refusal, no reason to have ruffled feathers for anyone. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/14 "2016-03-03T17:02:50Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > The point was that there’s a difference between something intending to foster discussion here on the board (or that may have such an impact) versus a solicitation to cull people on the board for something completely outside of the board’s universe. Discussion will continue, I am sure, but — makes sense to me; and thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/15 "2016-03-03T19:13:57Z")
I thought it was pretty clearly requesting “input” of the prohibited sort for homework. I can’t think of a more textbook example of a violation of that rule, although I’ve never fully understood the point of the rule. > [@Broomstick](#): > > I understand that if the questions are to be e-mailed an e-mail is required, by why would this assignment require the other information in bold? That sounds more like what a scammer or phisher would ask for than a legit student. Purely my opinion, but without a reason for all that it struck me a suspicious. IIRC, the original OP included a request that only lawyers and law enforcement respond, or something along those lines. So presumably the “place of business” was just so that the daughter can cite them as sources properly. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/16 "2016-03-03T20:25:00Z")
Would it have been inappropriate if the OP asked “Does anyone on the board know someone that may want to participate?” And if that question is allowed can a member agree to be interviewed? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/17 "2016-03-03T22:31:18Z")
It clearly was against “the no soliciting for outside projects without permission” part of the rule, and clearly was not against the “no homework questions” part of rule. With all due respect to \*\*ECG \*\*who I think is a very good moderator in general, that was a terrible way to greet a new poster whose first-ever post happened to run afoul of one of our many, many, rules by accident. The response: > [@](#): > > Moderator Action > > We don’t allow these types of things here. > > Thread closed. > > I have also removed the e-mail link from your post. was curt, unwelcoming, and left the poster feeling understandably resentful and likely never to be seen here again. Suggested response: > [@](#): > > Hi, welcome to the boards. Just so you know, we don’t allow soliciting help with outside projects on these boards without prior permission from the staff. I’m going to close this thread but encourage you to PM a mod to ask permission and explain the parameters of your project in more detail. No harm done but please read the board rules at… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/18 "2016-03-03T22:37:05Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Would it have been inappropriate if the OP asked “Does anyone on the board know someone that may want to participate?” And if that question is allowed can a member agree to be interviewed? That’s still basically asking for input for an off-board project. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/19 "2016-03-03T22:40:42Z")
Ah, okay – the point about “it would not be of benefit to the board for general discussion, and that isn’t allowed” makes sense - although the topic of custodial kidnapping surely is interest? We talk about far more arcane topics with great gusto here. I strongly agree with **Crazyhorse’s** comments above. No offense to **ecg** , but terse moderation is worse moderation! If you can’t take an extra 60 seconds to be polite to a newbie, you need to consider whether your time or temperament are really a good fit with mod duties. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826/20 "2016-03-03T22:59:15Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > … > > With all due respect to \*\*ECG \*\*who I think is a very good moderator in general, that was a terrible way to greet a new poster whose first-ever post happened to run afoul of one of our many, many, rules by accident. > > … You really think we had a new poster? One who wanted to join the board and become a part of the community? From the first post it seemed pretty apparent that we were just one of the “message boards” s/he was contacting for help with a project. The mods could have given this member a golden key to the unicorn lair, edited the post, blessed it with glitter, and that member would have gone on to other things once the questions were answered. I think it’s probably a good idea to read the rules before jumping in and posting on a new MB. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/policy-on-homework-help/747826.md?page=2)