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MMORPG Relationships Study

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:06 pm
by Haarewin
Do friendships form in massively multiplayer online role playing games, and do they function similarly to face to face relationships?

My name is Nick Gilbert and I am conducting this research for my final year project in Psychology. This research is designed to look at the relationships that MMORPG players have developed within the games.
You are asked to complete a short survey for the research. By e-mailing me and including the 'Consent Form' (see below), I will respond with an e-mail giving you a participant number and a link to the questionnaire. If you require more than one participant number as there are multiple players in your household that are willing to take part, please state in the e-mail as well as attaching their consent, and I can assign them. The research is open to people aged 18 and over. The questionnaire should take around 5-15 minutes.
There are minimal risks associated with this research – the same as with web browsing.
You will remain anonymous throughout the research and any stored data will also retain your anonymity.
You have the right to withdraw from the research with no explanation required at any time, and your responses will be immediately deleted and you will be excluded from the research. To withdraw from the research you should e-mail me at the address below quoting your participant number which I will assign to you.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact either me at [email]Nicholas.GilbertATuwe.ac.uk[/email] or my supervisor, [email]Jill.DuffieldATuwe.ac.uk[/email].
Thank you very much for your interest,
Nick Gilbert
Please print this sheet and keep it for your records.
Contact Information
Nick Gilbert (Nicholas.GilbertATuwe.ac.uk)
C/o Jill Duffield (Jill.DuffieldATuwe.ac.uk)
Faculty of Applied Sciences
University of the West of England
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1QY

Please read this carefully and fill in the form.
I confirm that I am over 18 years of age.
I have read the information and understand the risks associated with this research, and what is expected of me. I understand the procedure of the research. I understand that I can withdraw at any time by contacting the researcher without giving a reason. I understand that any data I provide will remain anonymous.
I give my consent to participate in this research.
Name: _________________________________
Date: _________________________________

If you would like to see the completed research, please let me know. I'll provide you with a pdf file-copy once it is completed.
Also, I know this seems like a 'long winded' way of getting people to participate. Ideally I would have just had them tick a box in the survey saying they had read the information, but the ethics committee were not happy with that so it has to be this way.
Also, should you experience any concern over your friendships as a direct result of this study the samaritans can provide confidential emotional support. Thanks in advance for participation.
PS: this post was cleared with the admins / moderators. I've been advised against putting my e-mail but I'm just doing what the ethics committee say. :)

Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:23 am
by Haarewin
thanks to everyone who has taken part so far. I could still use more respondents :)

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:24 pm
by Haarewin
Thank you everyone who has taken part so far.
The survey will be closed after this coming sunday (23rd April).
If you wish to take part, please contact me.

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:03 am
by Haarewin
Can a mod please 'de-sticky' this thread. I'll be able to find it to update with the results that people wanted to see when I've got everything completed/assessed.

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:11 am
by Lieva
de-skickeyd as per request :D

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:13 am
by Haarewin
fanks naner. :D

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:30 am
by Cromcruaich
regarding sticking email addresses in, its standard practive to post it as me@nospam.address.address.address and instruct people to remove the nospam bit. This stops automated bots picking up the email and adding you to a gazillion spammers lists, while still provides the info people require. Might be worth changing the emails now otherwise that spam could mount up.

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:41 am
by Haarewin
changed. ta crom ;O)