Building a More Robust Qualitative Methodology in the Study of Digital Communities in Virtual Worlds: Revisiting the Case Study Approach

Abstract

This paper addresses methodological challenges of research in the increasingly complex arena of virtual worlds and virtual reality. Case studies can be a valuable research tool, yet traditional approaches do not take into consideration the nuances of virtual experiences. Addressing what appears to be a growing body of evidence that points to a lack of rigor in research methodology in this field, specifically as evidenced by inconsistent research methods and analysis, this paper proposes an adaptation of the traditional multimethod qualitative case study method to address the affordances of virtual worlds and VR. It extends Yin’s (2009) traditional sources of evidence necessary to create a robust case study to virtual environments including digital/virtual forms of: documents, archival records, interviews, direct observation, participantobservation, and physical artifacts.