Hi there! I would like to take this moment to extend a warm thank you for considering participating in this study of online relationships in virtual world simulation environments such as SecondLife. This study is being done by Matthew Swint (Patches Porterfield), an undergraduate student at Westwood College in Denver, Colorado. The results of this study will be presented only to those students currently enrolled in the Survey of Research Methodologies course at Westwood College and to any participant who expresses the desire to be provided with a copy of the completed research document.
I have attempted to acquisition a secure, 100% anonymous method of submitting the questionnaire responses, however, I have come up empty handed and must resort to asking participants to email their responses to me at a dedicated email address set up solely for this purpose. Email addresses and any other personally identifiable information will NOT be shared, sold, or published in any way, shape, or form for public viewing.
Below, you will find a short, seven-question survey. I have made every attempt to construct these questions in the most unbiased and non-personal way possible, so I do apologize if any participant is offended or otherwise "put off" by the questions below.
Again, your participation is completely voluntary. Your responses to this survey will not be shared with anyone directly. Any personally identifiable information will not be shared with anyone other than myself and the participant.
Please send your responses to [email]SoRM_SOC401@yahoo.com[/email]. Any questions about this survey or anything described above, can also be sent to [email]SoRM_SOC401@yahoo.com[/email].
[BEGIN SURVEY]
Please provide an answer of Strongly Agree, Agree, Not Sure, Disagree, Strongly Disagree for the following questions:
1. You would consider engaging in a romantic relationship with someone completely online if you found the right person.
(a.) Strongly Agree
(b.) Agree
(c.) Not Sure
(d.) Disagree
(e.) Strongly Disagree
2. A romantic online relationship can be as fulfilling as a romantic relationship off-line.
(a.) Strongly Agree
(b.) Agree
(c.) Not Sure
(d.) Disagree
(e.) Strongly Disagree
Please answer Yes or No for the following questions:
3. Do you know of someone who is currently in a romantic online relationship?
(a.) Yes
(b.) No
4. If your answer to number 3 was Yes, what is the current age of this person?
Please provide the age here: _________
5. Have you ever engaged in a romantic online relationship?
(a.) Yes
(b.) No
The following question may have multiple answers and is based on your own perceptions. Choose all that apply:
6. Individuals who engage in romantic online relationships…:
(a.) Are usually in their teens
(b.) Are aged 18 to 25
(c.) Are aged 26 to 40
(d.) Are aged 40+
(e.) Know the person with whom they are in a romantic online relationship
(f.) Usually have never seen (in person) the person with whom they are in a romantic online relationship
(g.) Are anti-social
In your own words, please answer the following (limit: 50 words):
7. Speculate, briefly, your opinion regarding the reasons why individuals pursue romance in online environments instead of within our physical society. Can these reasons be universally applied to all who seek romance online? Why?
Provide your answer here: