Virtual Reality and the Qualitative Researcher: An Immersive Frontier (original) (raw)

2021

Abstract

Virtual Reality is a new frontier for qualitative researchers both as a research tool and as an immersive research environment. Social VR, spatial networking, immersive gaming/storytelling, and virtual experiences, ranging from friendships to sex, are fundamentally shaping human existence and culture. In what ways the tools and methods of qualitative research can be used within the domain of VR? How to study phenomena emerging and experienced in VR? This presentation aims to inspire an engaged and critical dialogue regarding qualitative inquiry in the context of VR. As an emerging technology, Virtual Reality (VR) is already shaping fundamental aspects of human existence - ranging from communication, relationships, social presence, embodied experiences, etc. Spatial networking and various social VR platforms are becoming mainstream due to affordable HMDs (head-mounted displays). Popular VR worlds, such as Altspace and Recroom are becoming vibrant social spaces where human governed av...

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