School of Psychology

Welcome to the text message study webpage!

Variations in text messaging styles exist across individuals and groups of individuals. This study examines this variation with a view to contributing to the field of forensic authorship analysis. Through analysing text messaging style, the author of a particular message may be identified and this might have uses in investigative work; click here if you'd like to read about a criminal case where such an analysis was used.

This study therefore aims to investigate similarities and differences in text messaging style within and between individuals, and within and between groups of people who frequently text one another.

Click here to read the code of ethics.

Instructions for taking part

Please fill in section 1 of the form below.

Read the instructions below and then please select ten text messages which you have sent.

Please carefully write these messages in the form below along with the ID codes of recipients (see below).

Finally - spread the word - ask other friends whether they would be willing to participate in our study and direct them to this website. In particular please ask your texting 'partners' to take part in the study.

Choosing which messages to send us:

Please select real messages which you have sent - do not make up messages for the purpose of this study. Do not try to alter your texting style for the purpose of this study.

Do not use messages which others' have sent from your phone.

You should be able to find messages under the 'sent items' folder on your phone. If you do not have such a folder or cannot find it you could print off this webpage to keep a diary of messages. If you choose to do this please take particular care to maintain an accurate copy of the spelling and formatting you use in your texts.

If you do not have ten messages saved on your phone you will be able to log back on to the page later to add more messages . If you are only able to enter fewer than ten messages this is fine and thank you very much.

Please do not enter messages you have sent to a commercial texting number such as a game show vote or a purchase number for ring tones. We are interested in messages sent to people not computers!

Please select messages to as many different people as possible. If you have messages on your telephone to ten different people please use these. If all of your selected messages are sent to one person then this is fine but if possible we would prefer more variety than that.

ID codes

In order to identify groups of texters who message one another we need some way of identifying both yourself and the individuals you have sent texts to. We wish however to protect your anonymity so we do not want to know either the name or telephone number of anyone involved in the study. Instead we would ask that you devise an ID code both for yourself and for every individual you have texted. The ID for each person should consist of the initials for their first name and last name and the last 4 digits of the mobile telephone number. Please do not use initials for any middle names.

For example if you were using a text sent to; John David Smith, telephone number 07654 123456, they will have the ID code JS3456. Your own ID code will be constructed in the same way from your first and last initial and the last four digits of your telephone number.

* If you don't know the person's surname, then please just write their first name initial followed by the last four digits of their phone number

We will not publish these codes or use them in anyway which could lead to your identification. No one will be able to text you or phone you using this code. Your participation in the study will remain completely anonymous. You have a right to withdraw your data from this study if you change your mind about participation. If you wish to withdraw your data from this study please email your request along with your ID code to tg21@le.ac.uk or ked6@le.ac.uk

Please type the messages exactly how they have been written on your phone. You should include all 'emoticons' or other 'non-words' and non-standard characters. If you wish to add an explanation use square brackets [like this].

Are you a returning participant? Yes No

Section 1.

First some information about you:

Personal ID (your initials plus last four digits of your phone number): * see explanation above

Your age:

Your Gender: M F

Ethnic origin:

Highest educational qualifications: If other please specify:

Occupation: If other please specify:

Country of residence:

Section 2.

Below you will see ten text-boxes. Please type your 10 text messages into the boxes below e.g. message 1 in box 1, message 2 in box 2 etc. Once again, please ensure that you type the messages exactly how they are written on your phone. In addition, in the box denoted "recipient ID", please type in the initials and last four digits of the recipient's mobile phone number, e.g. JS3456.

Message 1: Recipient ID : * see explanation above

Message 2: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 3: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 4: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 5: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 6: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 7: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 8: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 9: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Message 10: Recipient ID: * see explanation above

Please check that you have filled in all of section 1 and 2, then press to send your completed questionnaire.

Thank you very much for your participation.

Last updated: 8 August 2006
School of Psychology Principal Computer Officer

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