Abstract
This paper discusses the methodological challenges of using the 3D social virtual world Second Life for research and offers some solutions on a range of research issues including research ethics committee approval, gaining consent, recruitment of sample, data collection and engagement with ‘in – world culture’.
The attraction of social virtual worlds to researchers is their ability to mimic the physical world, as they, are seen as ‘places’ where people have a feeling of presence (being there) and social presence (being there with others) through the use of a ‘customisable’ avatar (digital self-representation).
The attraction of social virtual worlds to researchers is their ability to mimic the physical world, as they, are seen as ‘places’ where people have a feeling of presence (being there) and social presence (being there with others) through the use of a ‘customisable’ avatar (digital self-representation).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1267-1275 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Advanced Nursing |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 25 Oct 2013 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2014 |
Keywords
- health research
- virtual reality
- second life
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McElhinney, E., Cheater, F., & Kidd, L. (2014). Undertaking qualitative health research in social virtual worlds. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70(6), 1267-1275. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12281