Real professors? And why are we always being studied?

Okay I know one REAL professor. But are there any others ones out there who call themselves Professor? Or who observe us in a dispassionate way like we are a giant electronic ant farm?
And in this double-edged thread, why are we always being studied? Why don't researchers just stand in REAL malls and ask the same inane questions? I pay for my time here - I don't like / intend to help any more students gain credit from my personal entertainment. Do you agree? If not, why not?

I know a prof at UCLA in SL.. but.. he's teaching, not studying lol

Funny you should mention that...

/120/f7/25820/1.html

simple

they want to get paid to cyber.

They should answer some of the ads for escorts in forum eh

What I never understood was: "Why do people do...." whatever. There is NO possible way to break SL down into a single reason, or even several. We all have reasons for sticking with SL. We all have reasons for being here.

Or maybe its just harder to write a thesis on something???

/me coughs

Some professors just enjoy being in-world.
BTW for many sociologist
any groupings of individuals justifies study.

I think many of these "I am conducting my research/dissertation/thesis" post are simply either marketing phishers or individuals who do not know yet what direction their research project will take. I think these individuals use the forum as a sandbox for their topics. IMHO.





Research and researchers are not trying to "break SL down into a single reason, or even several". I am sure there are millions of reasons for "what ever". Much research, depending on type (quantative, qualitative, exploaratory, etc.) is only looking at investigating a few ideas at a time.

Again JMHO
MUAH,
Double MUAH even,
Jez

LOL

Um, I work at university, I know a lot of professors. None, though, are interested in SL. I myself am just a lowly lecturer.

That 50% educational discount is rather inviting

Because we are creating the future here and pioneers are always interesting. SL may be replaced by another product that gets it right -- but either way we are shaping the future of communications and social networking.

Lets face it...human social psychology is fascinating. (to some, obviously to those that study it) and the virtual world is a totally new frontier. So it stands to reason that folks who are intrigued by it and make their living by studying human behavior....are gonna find their way in here and ask questions.

It doesn't bother me if people ask questions.....there was a time in my life where I was very interested in going in to psychology.....and I'm more of an observer so I can relate to the 'researchers' out there I guess. It doesn't change my SL experience at all... I love it...I have fun...I do my thing. If someone is taking notes....so what.

It's well known that professors have an unhealthy attraction to white mice and there are a lot of mice furries in SL....

Research for graduate studies is nothing new and within the social sciences (sociology, psychology, etc.), the research topic generally involves some area of interpersonal interaction and/or relationships. However, the advent of the internet provided new tools and opportunities for conducting research, including the information-gathering component. Instead of physically giving/mailing/faxing a paper questionnaire to the target population, it is now possible to do so online, include a much broader population base than may be available offline, as well as virtual access to populations that would be difficult or even impossible for the researcher to meet face to face due to geographical location, expense involved, potentially dangerous situations, etc.

And it is not only academicians who conduct research. For example, in 1963 Gloria Steinem worked "undercover" as a Playboy Bunny to gain insight for an article she was writing for a magazine.

What I sense we may be reacting to is not the research itself but the manner in which we are being approached. Not only is requesting personal information from total strangers *by* a total stranger rather rude and intrusive, it is poor methodology. As several people have suggested when these "I am writing a thesis" posts have appeared, it would be infinitely more valuable research for the person to spend some time in SL within their target population group, experience it, get to know people and *earn* the right to then interview or submit a questionnaire if still needed.

~ ~ ~

When I was in grad. school, I was assigned a topic to research for a term paper. I could have simply done what is called a "literature review" (basically reading pertinent info on the topic then reorganizing it into my own paper). However, as in the Gloria Steinem example, I knew that I could bring more understanding and therefore a better perspective to the topic if I could somehow experience it myself. However, the topic involved a "population group" that was controversial and I did not know anyone offline who participated.

This was back in the very early days of the net with IRC (Internet Relay Chat) being the primary online chat vehicle. I had been part of one of the IRC social communities for several years, thus I got the idea of doing my research "undercover" - online. I joined an IRC community that was involved in my research topic, watched, listened, studied, and over time became an accepted part of the community. Although "only online," being able to participate and get a "feel" for the topic and the people involved allowed me to write a much better term paper than if I had just regurgitated already known information.

I ended up turning the topic of that term paper into my Masters thesis. No names were included in either the term paper or thesis - confidentiality and research ethics were strictly adhered to under the supervision of my professors. A totally unexpected outcome of my research was that I remained within that online community for many years and have several dear friendships forged from within that context.

~ ~ ~

Several months ago, one of the communities with which I was associated in SL was approached by a committee from a well-known university stating that they were conducting research for either a class or publication (can't get in world right now to check my notes ) and asked permission to spend some time in the sim and if possible, on a voluntary basis, interview a few of the residents of that community. During a meeting of the community, this request was presented to the community and volunteers to be interviewed requested. Those who volunteered were given the interview questions prior to meeting with the interviewer so they would have time to prepare for it.

~ ~ ~

I support the academic pursuit of research. I don't support poor or lazy methodology. And I totally disdain those involved in phishing schemes.

Researchers do stand in "real" malls and ask questions Unless you are saying that they should only be in "real" malls.

The combination of anonymity and freedom to create one's appearance make Second Life a unique laboratory for the study of identity. Here in SL, identity is entirely self-created, rather than being imposed by biology, and people can create new identities at will. The best scientists won't limit themselves to bothering residents with questions, but will also get out into the world and experience Second Life to gain an understanding of the experience.

Good points. But...

Is this going to be on the test?

Come to my office and I will give you the scantron Key.

/me winks

See I told you, its the cybersex thing.

LMAO

/me wonders how many prims he'd need to make a scantron machine.

What. I was just helping him pass the test!

Miles are you going to make a scantron machine? Build it and I will come.

LOL

That must be it.

SL is a great social laboratory for studying how people interact, I can easily see why it is attractive to universities. No one can force you to participate, if you don't want to, don't do it.

People doing "research" and wanting to ask questions doesn't bother me. People who regularly post "Why do you think..." threads do.