Code of Conduct

• You should try to minimise the chances of conflict by being open-minded and accepting of others. Understand that we each have a unique set of values, and we are all entitled to our own opinions;

• Feel free to share your views on someone else’s project or research problem as an outsider, but make sure to stay factual and criticise the science rather than the scientist, and don’t expect your thoughts and ideas to be accepted all of the time;

• We’re an English and German speaking community but welcome all nationalities. If you find yourself speaking primarily in a different language in the main chat, please PM that person to continue the conversation;

• Soliciting / advertising is not allowed, unless directly related to a research project (e.g., posting new tools for item selection; recruiting study participants);

• Offensive, rude, disruptive and unwanted behaviour may cause you to get banned without warning (depending on the severity);

• Posting of pornographic / gore / nude images is not permitted;

• Harassment, name-calling, racist or sexist remarks, profanity towards others and other forms of bullying will not be tolerated;

• Insensitive behaviour may result in being muted—this will be judged by the reaction of others in the room;

• Flirting is not permitted in main chat (it’s not a dating service) - take these conversations to private chat;

• Posting of links (URLs) to offensive material, sites hosting malware, initiating downloads or promoting illegal activities is not permitted;

• Flooding the chat is not permitted;

• Language relating to sexual topics or other taboo words may be used if it is the topic of a research project. Please be mindful about using language that could be offensive to others and move to Private Messages if discussing particularly sensitive words or topics with any specific member;

• Should mediators deem a subject matter to be inappropriate for the chatroom and/or the current audience, they may at their discretion make contact via Private Message, making clear any requirement to cease discussing the topic;

• We have dedicated mediators whom you can approach if you have any concerns or questions or think someone is not adhering to the code of conduct;

• If you are asked by the mediators or anyone else in the group to modify your behaviour or given some other form of instruction but fail to comply, you are likely to be removed from the chat room for a discretionary period of time depending on the severity of the matter (to be decided by the mediator);

• Attacking mediators in the chat room or any other form will likely result in a ban. Any genuine visitor should respect their decisions - they have nothing to gain from issuing bans/mutes and are doing so to the best of their ability, on behalf of the community;

• Mediators may choose to request users to leave if they’re deemed to be a risk to the safety of the general users/guests within the chatroom. Not adhering to the request will result in manual removal;

• An appeal can be requested but is at the discretion of the mediator who issued that ban/mute—however, this is not a given right. To make an appeal, please PM one of the mediators;

• You are welcome to return to the chat room once your ban period expires, but please be mindful of the reason(s) you got banned, abide by the rules and take into account any mediator feedback received;

• If a ban is evaded within the designated period (for any reason), please note that our mediators may extend the ban beyond the original lapse date.

The above Code of Conduct is adapted from this site.