scholarly journals Levelling Up: Minors' Play in a Closed-system MMOG

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Jenson ◽  
Suzanne De Castell ◽  
Victoria McArthur ◽  
Stephanie Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Closed System ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Massively Multiplayer Online Game

In this paper, we present a study of 182 youths (ages 9 - 17) playing a closed-system Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG), Guardian Academy. Its purpose was to investigate the online virtual world behaviours of youth under the age of 18 playing in an educational setting. We report on a mixed-methods study of minor players in situ across eight socioeconomically diversified educational communities, focused on characteristics, patterns, and trajectories of development of school-aged youths’ online play. The study has implications for other trajectories of MMOG research, particularly those concerned with distinctive features of minors’ play, the development of game-play expertise, and previous.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ Consensus on Strategies for Self- and Other-Regulation of Video Game Play: A Mixed Methods Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3846
Author(s):  
Michelle Colder Carras ◽  
Matthew Carras ◽  
Alain B. Labrique
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Gaming Disorder ◽  
Preventive Interventions ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Game Mechanics

Background: Little is known about strategies or mechanics to improve self-regulation of video game play that could be developed into novel interventions. This study used a participatory approach with the gaming community to uncover insider knowledge about techniques to promote healthy play and prevent gaming disorder. Methods: We used a pragmatic approach to conduct a convergent-design mixed-methods study with participants attending a science fiction and education convention. Six participants answered questions about gaming engagement and self- or game-based regulation of gaming which were then categorized into pre-determined (a priori) themes by the presenters during the presentation. The categorized themes and examples from participant responses were presented back to participants for review and discussion. Seven participants ranked their top choices of themes for each question. The rankings were analyzed using a nonparametric approach to show consensus around specific themes. Results: Participants suggested several novel potential targets for preventive interventions including specific types of social (e.g., play with others in a group) or self-regulation processes (e.g., set timers or alarms). Suggestions for game mechanics that could help included clear break points and short missions, but loot boxes were not mentioned. Conclusions: Our consensus development approach produced many specific suggestions that could be implemented by game developers or tested as public health interventions, such as encouraging breaks through game mechanics, alarms or other limit setting; encouraging group gaming; and discussing and supporting setting appropriate time or activity goals around gaming (e.g., three quests, one hour). As some suggestions here have not been addressed previously as potential interventions, this suggests the importance of including gamers as stakeholders in research on the prevention of gaming disorder and the promotion of healthy gaming. A large-scale, online approach using these methods with multiple stakeholder groups could make effective use of players’ in-depth knowledge and help speed discovery and translation of possible preventive interventions into practice and policy.

scholarly journals The semiotic ecology and linguistic complexity of an online game world

ReCALL ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Thorne ◽  
Ingrid Fischer ◽  
Xiaofei Lu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Linguistic Complexity ◽  
Form Complex ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Massively Multiplayer Online Game ◽  
L2 Development ◽  
Developmental Opportunities ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractMultiplayer online games form complex semiotic ecologies that include game-generated texts, player-to-player communication and collaboration, and associated websites that support in-game play. This article describes an exploratory study of the massively multiplayer online game (MMO)World of Warcraft(WoW), with specific attention to its qualities as a setting for second language (L2) use and development. This empirical study seeks to answer the following question: What is the nature of the linguistic ecology thatWoWplayers are exposed to? Many studies have described the developmental opportunities presented by commercially available gaming environments (e.g., Gee, 2003, 2007), their value as sites of literacy development (e.g., Squire, 2008a; Steinkuehler, 2008), and their potential as venues for second language (L2) use and learning (e.g., Peterson, 2010; Thorne, Black, & Sykes, 2009; Thorne & Fischer, 2012; Zheng, Young, Wagner & Brewer, 2009). There are, however, numerous outstanding questions regarding the quality and complexity of the linguistic environments associated with online commercially available games. This primarily descriptive research addresses this issue and aims to finely characterize the linguistic complexity of game-presented texts (or ‘quest texts’) as well as player generated game-external informational and strategy websites that form the expansive semiotic ecology ofWoWgame play. Questionnaires and interviews with Dutch and American gamers helped to identify a variety of widely used game-external websites. This information then informed the selection of texts that were analyzed for their linguistic complexity. By analysing the linguistic complexity of the texts that players regularly engage with, this study aims to empirically assess the resources and limitations of a representative and widely played MMO as an environment for L2 development.

The feasibility and acceptability of using virtual world technology for interprofessional education in palliative care: a mixed methods study

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Lee ◽  
Michelle DeBest ◽  
Rebecca Koeniger-Donohue ◽  
Shelley R. Strowman ◽  
Suzanne E. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Mixed Methods Study

scholarly journals Redesigning the ‘choice architecture’ of hospital prescription charts: a mixed methods study incorporating in situ simulation testing

BMJ Open ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. e005473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic King ◽  
Ali Jabbar ◽  
Esmita Charani ◽  
Colin Bicknell ◽  
Zhe Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Choice Architecture ◽  
In Situ Simulation ◽  
Simulation Testing

L2 Languaging in a Massively Multiplayer Online Game

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinjing Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Massively Multiplayer Online Game ◽  
The Social ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Massively Multiplayer

This paper examines L2 learner variations in the context of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). MMOGs have gained much attention among CALL researchers because this particular game genre is perceived to promote informal, contextualized interaction in a learner's target language, including interaction with native speakers. However, there is little research on differences between L2 learners in terms of how they engage in language learning and use in the context of gameplay. Drawing on data from questionnaires, interviews, gaming sessions, and gaming journals, this paper argues that affordances of MMOGs must be understood in relation to the learner's history, ability, and preference within the social context of game play; L2 learners engage with various game discourses that align with their preferences of game play and goals of language learning. In closing, the paper discusses procedural challenges in conducting research on MMOGs and similar gaming contexts.

Perspective taking and decision-making in educational game play: A mixed-methods study

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lacey J. Hilliard ◽  
Mary H. Buckingham ◽  
G. John Geldhof ◽  
Patricia Gansert ◽  
Caroline Stack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Educational Game ◽  
Game Play

Determining Emotional Tone and Verbal Behavior in Patients With Tinnitus and Hyperacusis: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 660-672
Author(s):  
Suzanne H. Kimball ◽  
Toby Hamilton ◽  
Erin Benear ◽  
Jonathan Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Verbal Behavior ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Emotional Tone ◽  
Explanatory Mixed Methods ◽  
Quantitative Results

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the emotional tone and verbal behavior of social media users who self-identified as having tinnitus and/or hyperacusis that caused self-described negative consequences on daily life or health. Research Design and Method An explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized. Two hundred “initial” and 200 “reply” Facebook posts were collected from members of a tinnitus group and a hyperacusis group. Data were analyzed via the LIWC 2015 software program and compared to typical bloggers. As this was an explanatory mixed-methods study, we used qualitative thematic analyses to explain, interpret, and illustrate the quantitative results. Results Overall, quantitative results indicated lower overall emotional tone for all categories (tinnitus and hyperacusis, initial and reply), which was mostly influenced by higher negative emotion. Higher levels of authenticity or truth were found in the hyperacusis sample but not in the tinnitus sample. Lower levels of clout (social standing) were indicated in all groups, and a lower level of analytical thinking style (concepts and complex categories rather than narratives) was found in the hyperacusis sample. Additional analysis of the language indicated higher levels of sadness and anxiety in all groups and lower levels of anger, particularly for initial replies. These data support prior findings indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression in this patient population based on the actual words in blog posts and not from self-report questionnaires. Qualitative results identified 3 major themes from both the tinnitus and hyperacusis texts: suffering, negative emotional tone, and coping strategies. Conclusions Results from this study suggest support for the predominant clinical view that patients with tinnitus and hyperacusis have higher levels of anxiety and depression than the general population. The extent of the suffering described and patterns of coping strategies suggest clinical practice patterns and the need for research in implementing improved practice plans.

Network Autocorrelation of Task Performance via Informal Communication Within a Virtual World

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb T. Carr ◽  
Paul Zube
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
World Of Warcraft ◽  
Online Game ◽  
Informal Communication ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Network Autocorrelation ◽  
Virtual Group ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Individual Achievement

Network autocorrelation occurs when individuals receive assistance from others which regulates their own behavior, and it can be used to explain how group members may improve their task performance. This study explored how network autocorrelation, via informal communication within a virtual group, affected an individual’s task achievement in the online game World of Warcraft. Informal interactions between guild members during a 4-year period were collected and analyzed to assess how informal interactions with other group members affected an individual’s in-game achievement. Findings indicate informal communication from other group members (specifically the experience and helpfulness of the other members) positively predict an individual’s task performance, while tenure with the group negatively predict individual achievement. Findings are discussed with respect to network analysis and influence in online groups.

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