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 |
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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