cross-cultural research| HCI/d | anthony faiola

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Communication Technology | Faculty Research

Flow Experience of MUD Players: Investigating Multi-User Dimension Gamers from the USA

Research Partners: Alexander E. Voiskounsky, Psychology Department, Moscow M.V. Lomonosov State University, Moscow, Russia
Graduate Research Assistant: Heather Wiltse
Usability Methods: Online survey; Factor analysis

 

 

Project Overview: The purpose of this initial project is to study the cross-cultural behavior of international MUD (Multi-User Dimensions or Multi-User Dungeons, or Multi-User Domain) gamers. Playing MUDs, text-only online gaming environments, may initiate flow experience. Online survey research was administered within the sample population of 288 MUD players from the United States of America, using the specially designed questionnaire with four categories of questions related to: flow experience, experience in playing MUDs, interaction patterns, and demographics. Replies of respondents (N = 3350) fit a six factor model. All the correlations between the factors are significant (p < 0.05). The set of dimensions describing flow experience while playing MUDs was selected. Since players experienced flow while MUDding, it was proposed that flow is one of the sources of the long-time attractiveness for MUD players. Ongoing research will observe the online role-playing behavior of four gaming communities: Russian, Chinese, French, and American (U.S.) speaking players.

Collaborative Research: Psychology Department, Moscow State University, Russia

Related Publications:
Faiola, A. & Voiskounsky, A. E. (in press). Experience of MUD players: Investigating multi-user dimension gamers from the USA. Managing design knowledge: A new pedagogical framework for HCI. In G. Salvendy and J. Jacko (Ed.), Human-Computer Interaction - Ergonomics and User Interfaces, Theory and Practice, Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction. Beijing, China. (Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers, CD-ROM).

Link to paper.

 

Cultural cognitive style and web design: Beyond a behavioral inquiry of computer-mediated communication

Research Partner: Sorin Matei, Department of Commmincation, Purdue University

Graduate Reserch Assistant: None

Usability Methods: Mixed range

 

 

 

Project Overview: The purpose of this initial project is to study the cross-cultural behavior of international MUD (Multi-User Dimensions or Multi-User Dungeons, or Multi-User Domain) gamers. Playing MUDs, text-only online gaming environments, may initiate flow experience. Online survey research was administered within the sample population of 288 MUD players from the United States of America, using the specially designed questionnaire with four categories of questions related to: flow experience, experience in playing MUDs, interaction patterns, and demographics. Replies of respondents (N = 3350) fit a six factor model. All the correlations between the factors are significant (p < 0.05). The set of dimensions describing flow experience while playing MUDs was selected. Since players experienced flow while MUDding, it was proposed that flow is one of the sources of the long-time attractiveness for MUD players. Ongoing research will observe the online role-playing behavior of four gaming communities: Russian, Chinese, French, and American (U.S.) speaking players.

Collaborative Research

Related Publications:
 Faiola, A. & Matei, S. (2005). Cultural cognitive style and web design: Beyond a behavioral inquiry of computer-mediated communication. In C. Ess & F. Sudweeks (Eds.) Culture and Computer-Mediated Communication: Toward New Understandings. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. 11(1).

http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol11/issue1/faiola.html

Faiola, A. & MacDorman, K. (In press). Exploring the influence of web designer cognitive style on information design: A cross-cultural comparison of a holistic and analytical perspective. Information, Communication and Society. Taylor & Francis Group, Oxford, UK.

 
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Communication Technology | HCI/d Graduate Student Oversight & Collaboration
Perceived Visual Aesthetics of Emotionally Evocative Homepages: An Investigation of Affective Qualities Identified with Emotional Dimensions 

 

 

 Project Overview: The focus of this study is to apply and compare Kim, Lee, and Choi’s (KLC) findings to those of American subjects using a subset of KLC’s research design methodology. The study will attempt to determine if homepages using the design factors (from the comparative study) prompt similar adjective selections by Americans. Using the methodology provided by KLC, the author will also use the same or similar homepages as those used in the KLC study.
Identifying Cross-Cultural Differences of Emoticons in Computer Mediated Communication: A Comparison of American ( U.S. ) and Korean Emotional Responses to Emoticons   

 

 

 Project Overview: The research will examine the cross-cultural differences involved in using emoticons, focusing on the visual aspect of online communication that provides emotional cues to understand the differences in the use of standard emoticons among American and Korean users. Ten textual emoticons and ten pictorial emoticons of MSN messenger, such as happy, unhappy/angry, frustrated, confused smile, etc. will be used in this study's questionnaires. 
Mega-Collaboration: A Framework for the Dynamic Development of Team Culture

 

 

 Project Overview: The objective of this study is to develop a set of specifications for a mega-collaboration tool, to develop a working prototype of the tool, and to test the functionality of the prototype against various success parameters that have been developed as part of the specifications.

 
Investigating Children’s Online Learning Environments: A Study of International Children’s Digital Libraries

 

 

OVERVIEW: The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how young children use mouse as compared to adults, how children read books online, font size, blind children needs using International Children’s Digital Library, key words to find a favorite book and other features on the website. I will give solution to problems on the website and redesign the prototype of the website. Number of participants will be selected to participate in user study sessions including questionnaire, time-on-task study, and interview.

 
Cybersurfer: A One Window Internet Browser

 

 

 Project Overview: This study also compares the performance of a new browser design to the interface of Internet Explorer 6.0 for effectiveness of Web browsing. The findings of this study will draw attention to the drawbacks of currently used multiple-window browsers. It will present the potential of a single window browser that can be efficient and convenient to use. This design can be a start for further improvement and development of alternative browser models.