Second Life Statistics Project

Hi all,

Im a graduate statistics student (more so mathematics) and am exploring some sampling techniques for virtual worlds.

It would be of GREAT help if you would fill out my simple survey (8 questions) and give me any constructive feedback on the surveying process.

Survey Location: http://www.solidsushi.com/secondlife/

Thanks!

Then you should be aware that the forums are not representative of the population at large. This will skew any results you may obtain.

Haha, wow that was quick for someone to note that. This would be considered a sampling bias which is unfortunately a problem with any survey. I can track the amount of users that fill out the survey from the forms and compensate with weights if the data does tend to be truly bias.

However, every user of Second Life is given a form username and pass automatically so therefore there is a chance for the entire population to be captured in the forms.

I will, of course, be using other ways of getting data. Unfortunately there is no way to do truely random sampling (Without some sort of user list, which might exist).

Any suggestions of other sampling methods (preferably constructive criticism)?

You are daring indeed, in one respect!

You defined furries! If I may quote:


"If you don't understand what this question is about there is a good chance you are just a "Normal Human". An Anamorphic otherwise known as Furry avatar is one that has special objects attached to them to make them have animal traits. An example would be a woman with a cat-like head and tail, or possibly the cartoon "Samurai Pizza Cats". The last selection would be for all other non-humans (aka dragons, elves, daemons, angels, whatever else the imagination conjures up). "


Even in my limited experience, I've learned that touching upon such a subject is sure to conjure "teh Internetz drahma"...


Normally, I am a small, humble Chinese antiques dealer. But recently, I was given a tiny pair of cat ears (they match my dark hair nicely).

When I'm doing business, anything involving a decent sized chunk of a sim, sometimes I put such 'serious business' in perspective by wearing the cat ears.

So I guess I have joined the ranks of the furries! Or failing that, have at least exhibited tendencies...

I can't get your survey to accept my answers for the last 2 questions. I've tried putting the straight number, putting the number followed by L$ and tried putting $number.

Did you add commas or decimals? It wouldn't take my own input at first either. Remove anything save the plain number without punctuation or decimals and it should accept it

That would mean someone who plays a very tall and skinny or very short and fat avatar.

I think you mean "Anthropomorphic".

Great notes guys!

Wow, better interest than I expected.....

As for the furrys. I think this is more of a self (aka avatar?) image question? Do you imagine your character as a mix breed of human and animal? Im not sure if cat ears qualifies As for the question itself it was just for fun hopefully I wont get any "flames" , maybe there will be a correlation between money earned and if the character is a furry (furies are rich!).

Hmm, the money thing. I didn't really think about that! I'll update the help so that it instructs the user to round up, no need for punctuation, just a simple integer...


Sorry about the confusion and thanks for the comments!

Great catch, I just updated the survey to be more clear.