TITLE OF PROJECT: "Internet Addiction or Restorative 'Magical Flight'?: The Meaning, Motivations, and Mental Health Implications of MMORPGs (Massively Multiuser Online Role-Playing Games)"
NAME OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jeffrey Snodgrass (faculty)
NAME OF CO-INVESTIGATORS: Michael G. Lacy (faculty); Student Co-PIs: Michael Blank, Henri Jean-Francois Dengah II, Jesse Fagan, Lahoma Howard, Chad Kershner, Gregory Krambeer, Andy Kumar, Alissa Leavitt, Adam Reynolds, Jessica Vyvial-Larson, Joshua Whaley, and Benjamin Wintersteen
CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER FOR QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS:
Jeffrey Snodgrass, Colorado State University, Dept. of Anthropology, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Email: jeffrey.snodgrass@colostate.edu, 970-491-5894
SPONSOR OF PROJECT: Department of Anthropology, Colorado State University, USA
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH:
The purpose of this research is to understand how MMORPGs (Massively Multiuser Online Role-Playing Games) are emerging as important virtual communities, with equally important mental health implications. We are interested to understand the motivations of players of these games, in particular hoping to understand the contexts that make these games pleasurable and rewarding as opposed to those other situations that might lead these games to be the source of stress in players’ lives. In this survey, we want to learn more about your personal experiences within these game worlds—that is, why, where, when, and with whom you play, as well as what aspects of the game you find particularly pleasurable or potentially stressful.
This study hopes to illuminate the cultural meanings of MMORPGs. This is in part a scholarly project, and we will be presenting our research to other researchers interested in the topic of new virtual cultures. However, we believe that this research may provide a popular American audience with insights into these gaming worlds, and we plan to present our research in contexts which will reach such an audience. We also think that participating in this research project may provide you with insight into what this game means for you personally. We thus hope that our research is not purely academic.
It is essential that you understand that participation is voluntary and at no cost to you, and that you may terminate the survey at any time for any reason. Aliases and identification numbers will be assigned to ensure the privacy of all involved with this research.
There are no known risks involved with participation with this research. The survey should take you between 15-25 minutes. There may be a possibility that some subject matters may cause psychological or emotional stress. However, as stated prior, the conditions are completely under your control. It is not possible to identify all potential risks in research procedures, but the researcher(s) have taken reasonable safeguards to minimize any known and potential, but unknown, risks.
If, by chance, you are injured as a result of this research, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act determines and may limit Colorado State University's legal responsibility if an injury happens because of this study. Claims against the University must be filed within 180 days of the injury.
We also want to ensure that we accurately represent the voices and views of MMORPG players. As such, we have included personal contact information at the top of this document. Feel free to voice any questions, concerns, or comments regarding my research with you.
If you have questions about the study, you can contact the investigator, Jeffrey Snodgrass, at 970-491-5894. If you have any questions about your rights as a volunteer in this research, contact Janell Barker, Human Research Administrator at 970-491-1655.