Discussion 6: Researching During Implementation and Play
Watch the first 50 minutes Sarah Lynne Bowman’s “Researching Analog Role-playing Games: Difficulties and Approaches.”
Read Annika Waern’s “How to Gather Feedback from Players.”
Then, choose one (1) article from the following two (2) categories under Recommended Materials for a total of two (2) articles: Research Approaches and Documentation.
Optional: Watch the Q&A (0:50-1:19) from Sarah Lynne Bowman’s “Researching Analog Role-playing Games: Difficulties and Approaches.”
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Then, answer the following questions:
- Describe participant-observation ethnography in 1-2 sentences. What aspects of role-playing do you think this form of ethnography would be helpful in studying?
- Have you engaged in this type of research? If so, please describe.
- If not, would you be interested in trying it? Why or why not?
- Describe three (3) additional methods of researching role-playing games (1-2 sentences each) from these materials. Do you think these methods might be effective tools for this activity? Why or why not?
- Describe in 3-4 sentences the article you read on documentation.
- From your perspective, what considerations does the article make that might impact the play process?
- From your perspective, what considerations does the article make that might impact the implementation process?
- From your perspective, what considerations does the article make that might impact the research process?
Finally, respond to at least two (2) of your peers in Ask a Question, Answer a Question format.