Research+Methodology

= **Research Methodology** =

Image take from http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/my-virtual-life-685622.html
 * Execution:** Anthropological social experiment; exploring the virtual world (Second Life) and reality through various representations and appearances while also evaluating social customs.
 * To execute our research we will create two different Second Life accounts. One avatar will be an “accurate” visual depiction of our real selves (as close to the real us as possible) and the second avatar will be an aspect of us that is rarely seen by others or is a wishful desire of our ideal representation.
 * We will then take our virtual persona from Second Life and implement them in real world situations (i.e. public transit, shopping, speed dating, restauraunts, libraries, parks) and assess the outcomes (will social norms affect how we are perceived and how we act?).
 * Basically we will take our real life persona and bring them in the world of Second Life and vice versa to gauge people’s reactions while examining our own actions.
 * We will be utilizing theories from Baudrillard, Foucault and Benjamin in accordance to first hand accounts (i.e. recording people's reactions, compare and contrast of images, photo survey).


 * Things to Consider:**
 * 1) Do we act differently when we take on a different appearances (i.e. if one of us is imitating the outfit worn in Second Life such as fairy wings on the bus, would we act differently from our normal selves who would usually wear jeans and a t-shirt)?
 * 2) Do //others// react differently to our different appearances?
 * 3) Do simulacra and simulation affect how we act or how we are perceived?
 * 4) Do we feel more empowered or bolder
 * 5) Are our online selves a faucet of a person or do they represent are whole selves?
 * 6) Is the construction of social norms different online versus the real world?
 * 7) What affect does the environment have on social norms?
 * 8) Who regulates these social norms?
 * 9) Is Foucault's theory on pantopticism applicable to virtual reality and self-regulation?
 * 10) Overall, is the experience positive or negative (dressing as our avatar in real life)?

image taken from http://www.secondlifemarketingtips.com/


 * NEXT:** Research Tools