Immersive Social VR environments are becoming increasingly relevant across a wide range of disciplines and research fields. But what happens when researchers no longer observe their field from the outside, but actually step inside it?
Which qualitative methods still work when research moves into virtual spaces? What changes when researchers and participants meet as avatars? And how do presence, embodiment and social dynamics affect the research process?
Drawing on existing research material, this presentation explores the possibilities and challenges of qualitative research in Social VR. It demonstrates how identity, presence, interaction and social dynamics can be studied and highlights what makes virtual worlds a unique research space.
Following the interactive deep dive, the session opens up for discussion, questions and an exchange of experiences. Researchers who have already conducted studies in VR are invited to share their own methodological insights and challenges.