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Chemistry Forum Feedback & Suggestions

Hello everyone, I’m Shyleen, a member of The Student Room's Volunteer Team. Although the Chemistry Forum is already thriving, I believe that there is room for improvement, and I would like to enlist your help in doing so. In this post, I will outline some questions that I hope you can provide feedback on:

1. What do you like about the Chemistry forum?
2. What do you dislike about the Chemistry forum?
3. What additional threads would you like to see added to the Chemistry forum?
4. Any further thoughts?

If you have any further thoughts or questions, please feel free to share them. I am eager to hear your feedback and help make the Chemistry Forum a better place for everyone.
(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

I wouldn’t say there’s anything I especially dislike about the chemistry forum. It’s so far been a useful place for me to keep my knowledge of chemistry alive whilst doing relatively little chemistry in my gap year.

I would say that the official study threads for chemistry at GCSE and A level are some of the best improvements as of late for the chemistry forum. It would perhaps be nice if there was a similar thread for degree level chemistry, though as there will likely be some huge differences in what content is taught at each university, it is understandable if it is decided this isn’t the best approach.
First I am happy with you that you have got it so far. :h:

1.) I like to help people here as good as I can by giving advice or clues.
2.) Maybe lessons I am not so good to help immediately, that is titration and some stoichiometry questions.
3.) topics like reaction mechanism and isomers maybe. They are important and are so rare at this place. As a bonus to them, you can settle some threads in which some reaction mechanisms or calculations in chemistry are explained by examples. With examples to most frequent questions in question papers maybe.
4.) Not really, that's it for first. Good luck for being a Volunteer member in Chemistry!
Original post
by TypicalNerd
I wouldn’t say there’s anything I especially dislike about the chemistry forum. It’s so far been a useful place for me to keep my knowledge of chemistry alive whilst doing relatively little chemistry in my gap year.

I would say that the official study threads for chemistry at GCSE and A level are some of the best improvements as of late for the chemistry forum. It would perhaps be nice if there was a similar thread for degree level chemistry, though as there will likely be some huge differences in what content is taught at each university, it is understandable if it is decided this isn’t the best approach.

Ah, I’m glad to hear that you have found the chemistry forum to be a useful resource during your gap year, and that you don't have any major issues with it. I definitely agree that the official study threads for chemistry at GCSE and A level are valuable additions to the forum.

Regarding the possibility of a similar thread for degree level chemistry, you bring up a valid point that there may be significant differences in the content taught at various universities. However, it might still be worth exploring the idea of a degree-level study thread, with the understanding that it would need to be more general in nature. We also need to be wary of collusion/plagiarism. I for one, am interested in learning how universities vary in their approach to topics and content. I should’ve mentioned this in my OP, but I made this thread with the aim of focusing more on GCSE/A-Level Chemistry, so I might not make the university thread. You are, of course, free to create one yourself.

Reply 4

Hadn’t thought of that.

I’ll think about making such a thread, but I’ll wait until I’ve actually started at uni before making a decision.
Original post
by Kallisto
First I am happy with you that you have got it so far. :h:

1.) I like to help people here as good as I can by giving advice or clues.
2.) Maybe lessons I am not so good to help immediately, that is titration and some stoichiometry questions.
3.) topics like reaction mechanism and isomers maybe. They are important and are so rare at this place. As a bonus to them, you can settle some threads in which some reaction mechanisms or calculations in chemistry are explained by examples. With examples to most frequent questions in question papers maybe.
4.) Not really, that's it for first. Good luck for being a Volunteer member in Chemistry!

That’s very kind of you to say, Kallisto. Thank you. :smile:

It's great to hear that you're willing to share your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and clues for those who are seeking help.

I really like what you’ve suggested within your third point. I’ve made a note of your ideas and will ponder over how to best approach it over the coming weeks.
I personally think that my ideas fit well to the sub-forum chemistry exams, if it is about exam questions. Would be nice, if you can realize it anyhow. The lessons are nöt so hard to grasp, but the questions on papers do!

Reply 7

Hello Shyleen!
I express the positive view of the Chemistry Forum as an influential platform for discussing a wide range of complex chemistry issues. The suggestion is to enhance the forum's importance by encouraging active engagement, using simple language, and embracing a variety of topics that will contribute to its development.

Lack of clear categories, and tagging systems hinder user searchability. Integrate a curated archive of relevant subjects, complete with hyperlinks, and a detailed catalogue of chemistry texts, each annotated with its ISBN, to enhance the utility and provide a streamlined reference system.

I suggest the introduction of sub-forums for different branches of chemistry, as well as resource sharing and collaborative projects, to improve the user experience, encourage user contributions, and help administrators identify areas for development.

To maintain a positive and civil community, I suggest establishing clear and strict rules for posting, commenting, and contacting others.

For example, I recommend encouraging users to ask one question per thread and to be clear, concise, and descriptive in their messages.

I'd like to suggest some rules, but I'm not sure if anyone has already written them down and applied them.
If you're interested, please read the rules below.

Rules:

1.

One question per thread.

2.

The applicant must provide the final answer to the problem, if it is their own, by writing it in their original post.

3.

Ask about one topic only. If somebody has more than one question, he/she should open a thread for each one.

4.

No chat spelling: Keep language clean and proper.

5.

Be respectful.

6.

The user should avoid forum spamming or thread bumping.

7.

Keep your language clean and polite.

Reporting issues

1.

Report problematic posts, rule violations, or anything else you feel needs the attention of the moderators.

2.

Do not reply to rule violations; just report them.

Kind regards from an Italian chemist!
Immagine 2024-09-13 165621.png
Enjoy a splendid weekend!

Sandro
Original post
by Nitrotoluene
Hello Shyleen!
I express the positive view of the Chemistry Forum as an influential platform for discussing a wide range of complex chemistry issues. The suggestion is to enhance the forum's importance by encouraging active engagement, using simple language, and embracing a variety of topics that will contribute to its development.

Lack of clear categories, and tagging systems hinder user searchability. Integrate a curated archive of relevant subjects, complete with hyperlinks, and a detailed catalogue of chemistry texts, each annotated with its ISBN, to enhance the utility and provide a streamlined reference system.

I suggest the introduction of sub-forums for different branches of chemistry, as well as resource sharing and collaborative projects, to improve the user experience, encourage user contributions, and help administrators identify areas for development.

To maintain a positive and civil community, I suggest establishing clear and strict rules for posting, commenting, and contacting others.

For example, I recommend encouraging users to ask one question per thread and to be clear, concise, and descriptive in their messages.

I'd like to suggest some rules, but I'm not sure if anyone has already written them down and applied them.
If you're interested, please read the rules below.

Rules:

1.

One question per thread.

2.

The applicant must provide the final answer to the problem, if it is their own, by writing it in their original post.

3.

Ask about one topic only. If somebody has more than one question, he/she should open a thread for each one.

4.

No chat spelling: Keep language clean and proper.

5.

Be respectful.

6.

The user should avoid forum spamming or thread bumping.

7.

Keep your language clean and polite.

Reporting issues

1.

Report problematic posts, rule violations, or anything else you feel needs the attention of the moderators.

2.

Do not reply to rule violations; just report them.

Kind regards from an Italian chemist!
Immagine 2024-09-13 165621.png
Enjoy a splendid weekend!

Sandro

Hello Sandro! :hi:

'The suggestion is to enhance the forum's importance by encouraging active engagement, using simple language, and embracing a variety of topics that will contribute to its development.' - I'm glad we are on the same page. :yep:

'Lack of clear categories, and tagging systems hinder user searchability. Integrate a curated archive of relevant subjects, complete with hyperlinks, and a detailed catalogue of chemistry texts, each annotated with its ISBN, to enhance the utility and provide a streamlined reference system.
I suggest the introduction of sub-forums for different branches of chemistry, as well as resource sharing and collaborative projects, to improve the user experience, encourage user contributions, and help administrators identify areas for development.' -
Lovely idea, but it might take up quite a bit of development time. We would like to start off small, and then move onto bigger projects. :blushing:

'Rules:

One question per thread.
The applicant must provide the final answer to the problem, if it is their own, by writing it in their original post.
Ask about one topic only. If somebody has more than one question, he/she should open a thread for each one.
No chat spelling: Keep language clean and proper.
Be respectful.
The user should avoid forum spamming or thread bumping.
Keep your language clean and polite.
Reporting issues:
Report problematic posts, rule violations, or anything else you feel needs the attention of the moderators.
Do not reply to rule violations; just report them.' - Please see the link below:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7389125

Thank you for your thoughts and ideas. I really appreciate it. :yep:


Shyleen.


P.S. Brilliant username. I love it. :biggrin:

Reply 9

Ciao Shyleen
I am contacting you now because your reply in the past was kind, and I need somebody's assistance. Unfortunately, I cannot access the thread titled ‘Chemistry’ by zushi1248 on the Chemistry Forum to which I previously replied.
Attempting to open it results in an error screen.
Please see here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7531475
As I don't use social platforms such as Twitter or Facebook, I can't use them to get help, as the error page suggests. I would greatly appreciate it if you could address this issue. However, I don't expect you to feel obligated to do so.

Kind regards from Italy,Italy Flag.png
Sandro

Reply 10

Original post
by Nitrotoluene
Ciao Shyleen
I am contacting you now because your reply in the past was kind, and I need somebody's assistance. Unfortunately, I cannot access the thread titled ‘Chemistry’ by zushi1248 on the Chemistry Forum to which I previously replied.
Attempting to open it results in an error screen.
Please see here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7531475
As I don't use social platforms such as Twitter or Facebook, I can't use them to get help, as the error page suggests. I would greatly appreciate it if you could address this issue. However, I don't expect you to feel obligated to do so.

Kind regards from Italy,Italy Flag.png
Sandro

Whilst I’m not 5hly33n, I was once involved in the running of the chemistry forum in some limited capacity.

The link itself is fine - it could be an internet problem you had?

In any case, I have repped your post and you should have a notification indicating as such. See if the notification allows you to get onto the thread if the link still doesn’t work.

Reply 11

Original post
by TypicalNerd
Whilst I’m not 5hly33n, I was once involved in the running of the chemistry forum in some limited capacity.
The link itself is fine - it could be an internet problem you had?
In any case, I have repped your post and you should have a notification indicating as such. See if the notification allows you to get onto the thread if the link still doesn’t work.

Dear TypicalNerd,
I'm grateful for your prompt response. Your consideration is valued.
I reached out to Shyleen, the sole member I've communicated with directly through Forum's messaging platform.
FYI, when I click on the notification link, I can access the threads. Unfortunately, my reply doesn't appear.
Despite this, I'm confident that my post is clear. I've included the source at the end of my reply to provide additional context and proper attribution.

I really thank you.😀

Krgds,
Sandro

Reply 12

Dear Shyleen,

I am writing to you because your experience and your participation in the chemical forum have left a strong impression. I think you can help me understand the question that interests me.Participating in the discussions, I contributed several answers. However, I have noticed that these efforts are often ignored and feedback is extremely rare. I would like to understand if this is a typical behaviour of the TSR members or if there are ways to increase engagement and get more response.
I would appreciate your recommendations on how to better establish interaction and draw attention to my proposals.
Please respond at any time convenient for you - I appreciate your attention and time.
🎄I take this opportunity to wish you wonderful holidays and a happy new year! 🎄

Kind regards from Italy,
The flag of Italy.pngSandro
Original post
by Nitrotoluene
Dear Shyleen,

I am writing to you because your experience and your participation in the chemical forum have left a strong impression. I think you can help me understand the question that interests me.Participating in the discussions, I contributed several answers. However, I have noticed that these efforts are often ignored and feedback is extremely rare. I would like to understand if this is a typical behaviour of the TSR members or if there are ways to increase engagement and get more response.
I would appreciate your recommendations on how to better establish interaction and draw attention to my proposals.
Please respond at any time convenient for you - I appreciate your attention and time.
🎄I take this opportunity to wish you wonderful holidays and a happy new year! 🎄

Kind regards from Italy,
The flag of Italy.pngSandro


Salve Sandro,

Firstly, I apologise for the delayed response. Thank you for your kind words.

I totally get how it can feel a bit discouraging when you don’t get many replies. But often, clear and helpful answers get quietly appreciated. Lots of users read and learn without saying anything. That doesn’t take away from the value of what you’re sharing at all. If anything, it shows you’re explaining things really well.

I'm back to 'revamping' the Chemistry Forum and I hope to see engagement increase. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see, please let me know - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Please do keep contributing generally as well. You're doing a brilliant job.

5hyl33n

Reply 14

Thanks for your reply, Shyleen.
Enjoy this summer!
Ciao,
Sandro
Original post
by Nitrotoluene
Thanks for your reply, Shyleen.
Enjoy this summer!
Ciao,
Sandro

Enjoy your summer as well, Sandro! :yep:
I had goods idea for chemistry threads: we can explain and define terms which are usual in chemistry for students and also introduce some well-known chemists who made great contributions in this natural science. I thought the same for biology and physics.
Original post
by Kallisto
@5hyl33n

I had goods idea for chemistry threads: we can explain and define terms which are usual in chemistry for students and also introduce some well-known chemists who made great contributions in this natural science. I thought the same for biology and physics.

I love your ideas. Would you be willing to take a lead on them when the time comes or do you only wish to suggest ideas? :curious:
Taking a lead in the sense of managing the threads which are in planning of my own? I need at least three members willing to write, I am not sure whether I would be a part of the writing staff or not, maybe just a guest author. As you know another project of mine is running. Generally I would love to see that this idea comes true.

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