Poster #41 - Synergies Between Research and Game Design: Reflections on Interactive Narrative Experiments by Student Game Designers

• In Event: 18.060 - MTCC Poster Session Two
  In Poster Session: 18.060-5 - Advanced Technologies for Learning Poster Session

Abstract

One way to prepare research-literate citizens is to engage them in designing research studies. However, this feat is challenging and has many practical barriers. We present StudyCrafter, a new platform that makes human behavior research more accessible by using game design and gameplay as a framework for research design and participation. In a qualitative exploration of students’ StudyCrafter projects within a graduate classroom implementation, we found that those projects that demonstrated well-executed principles of game design also showed qualities of robust research study design. We discuss the potential value of using game design to inform research design, and the importance of accessible tools. These findings can inform supports for developing students’ research design and literacy.

Authors

• Camillia Matuk, New York University

• Steven Sutherland, University of Houston - Clear Lake

• Will Althoff, University of Houston - Clear Lake

• Sam Snodgrass, Northeastern University

• Nathan Partlan, Northeastern University

• Gillian Smith, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

• Magy Seif El-Nasr

• Casper Harteveld, Northeastern University