GuliaMCR

Again, sorry for posting this announcement here. I did not expect to receive so much negative feedback, but I cannot delete this topic anymore. I will not recruit any participants from this platform due to such high concern about data privacy. But to answer some of your questions (in order not to be disrespectful) - I used SL for some time (just like some other platforms), but I am not an active user. I am researching the participants of several social virtual worlds and posting this announcement on different platforms. So, I am not studying only the SL virtual consumption, but the virtual consumption overall. My PhD program is 5 years program and I am doing a thesis on different subtopics of virtual consumption as well as using different techniques. All the insights collected via interviews are qualitative data and are used only for insights only. I did not share the full description of the research, because, from my previous experience, it could be overwhelming, so I share it in a private message. Amazon vouchers you can buy in any country (where Amazon exists) and send them via email as a link, so no privacy data is violated. Again, I did not want to hurt anyone's feelings or create negativity. Thank you.

I study different topics within virtual consumption topic and use different approaches. Last time it was more about getting insights and I used surveys. This time it is interview. Sorry for taking your time. I see that my post is not perceived very well...

It is an academic research that i am doing for my PhD thesis that follows all the privacy standards. All the information that I will receive from you it is the one that you are willing to share:)

Hey everyone! I am doing research about virtual consumption and looking for participants for interviews (1 hour informal talk via Microsoft teams). I will pay 8 Euros/9 Dollars in Amazon vouchers for participation. You have to be older than 18, live in the US, UK, Canada, or Europe, and purchase virtual goods for avatars (clothing, accessories) to be used on the Second Life platform. Let me know if you are interested.

@Sasy Scarborough@HelenaNavy92, thank you for your encouragement, i really appreciate it. Also, thanks for your time and suggestion of new ideas. @diamond Marchant thank you for your comment. I am sad that my use of word "'metaverse" created so much confusion. In fact, as mentioned earlier, I did not mean Zucherberg Meta Horizons. Rather I meant the virtual worlds with social characteristics. As I mentioned before, I will be careful with wording in the future, because unforunately with word "metaverse" lots of people reffer to Zuckerberg Meta, while in fact there are many other metaverses and social virtual worlds tha exist.

@animatsin my opinion the result will come, but in longer time when the digitally native generation will become a majority and when companies will create actual interactive useful content on the platforms. But it is only my personal opinion.

@Maryanne Solothanks for sharing your expereince! Yes, I am already on platform and interacting with people, but i am still using my standard avatar and I have not purchased anything yet by myself. It takes a bit of time:) Thanks for warning me about some issues though!

@Caeruleiae, you are completely right. Actually, I am already interacting on platfoms themselves and collecting info from there as well, but for now it is more qualitative insights... My previous response was in regards of this particular survey. The point is that i cannot cover all topics within one survey. The focus of this particular survey to understand the features of platform and products. In fact, all the constructs that i am measuring are well establish in the academic literature already. The topic you have mentioned is very important, however, as i have mentioned i cannot cover everything in one paper. Thanks for you comment and contribution!

@Scylla Rhiadra, thank you very much for such thorough answer! Yes, I am using a lot of insights coming from the articles from Journal of Virtual Worlds research, as you suggested. Marketing academic journals barely cover this topic. I also agree that SL is very different and in academic literature it is also called pro-metaverse. There were many studies done on SL and one more platform 10 years ago, however, just as you have mentioned, the research needs to be updated because of technological changes and consumer behavior changes. I already see that SL community is very different from other communities. Even in this chat, despite all the negative feedback community is very engaging. Again thanks a lot for your contribution. Sincerely, Gulia

@Coffee Pancake, thanks for your comment. My goal is not to understand why people use these platforms, rather to understand purchasing behavior of people who are already using the plattform and which platform and virtual product characteristics make stronger impact on virtual products purchasing intention.

@Scylla Rhiadra, thanks a lot for all your feedback, its very helpful. @animats-thanks for suggestion to contact people directly in vurtual worlds, I will definately will do it. @Cinos Field , @Scylla Rhiadrai can share the results of the article, but it will take some time. Also, I can share the results of this particular survey, when it will be completed. @Arduenn Schwartzman, I am a phd student:)

Talking about the term "Metaverse"-yes, I use the Neal Stephenson term. I guess the confusion is created with the fact that people thought that I imply to Zucherberg's Meta. In fact, i use term "metaverse" to define virtual world with social characteristics (as opposed to pure gaming virtual world). Lesson learned-I will be more careful with terms.

I see that lots of people is asking questions about my background and if I am qualified to do research about Metaverse and virtual worlds:) It is completely new topic for me but i find it fascinating. I am the only one who is studying it at my univerisity and in general there are not a lot of researchers who are doing it, because it is relatively new topic. I have previous background and 7 years working expereince in market research and retail, but the topic of virtual worlds attracted my attention more and i have decided to learn it despite that I am new to it. I am meeting with people who are working in the Metaverse/ virtual worlds industry, but I see that majority of professionals in industry are facing the same uncertaintly. That''s why my starting point was to study users of virtual worlds. I started with forums, but little by little I am starting to use some of platforms. I hope it will help me with future research. Thanks everyone who filled the survey, I really appreciate it. Also, I agree that some questions are a bit complicated, but it is an academic survey, which differs a lot from regular market research surveys-I can say it from my professional experience:) Thanks again everyone who participate and sorry that my request created some negative feedback.

@Love Zhaoying, you are right, I am getting PhD in Marketing. Thre is not such a degree as a phd in Metaverse yet;)

@Lindal Kidd, thanks for notifying me about sticking to one forum. @Love Zhaoyingthanks for your support, I really appreciate it.

@Lindal Kidd, thanks for notifying me about sticking to one forum. @Love Zhaoyingthanks for your support, I really appreciate it.

@Maitimo I use the term "metaverse" to define the platform that has social virtual world characteristics. SL fits these characteristics. Thanks for contribution!

@Love Zhaoying, sure, if you do not trust the link, that is your right:)

@Love ZhaoyingI do not ask any mystery shopping questions:) Also, the survey link belongs to Bocconi Univeristy:) @PheebyKatz thanks for support:)

@Lindal Kiddexactly! According to many academic theories, all items that we purchase bring us functional, emotional, or social value. Just as you mentioned, functional value is less relevant for virtual worlds (however, sometimes people buys NFTs for investment purposes), but emotional and social value are super important. What is interesting, what is more important-emotional or social attributes of the virtual products? Thanks for contribution!

@Robberinthemuseum, yes partially yes. However, you still buy items that fit your personality and help you express yourself, right?

@Whirly Fizzle, thanks for your comment. I will clarify it. Thank you very much for your contribution and have a great weekend. Sincerely, Gulia

@Nick0678, thanks for your contribution. I distribute this survey through different platforms and not everyone on those platforms purchase the virtual goods. Thanks again. Sincerely, Gulia

@Robberinthemuseum, yes, you are completely right. However, many people (who do not use social virtual worlds) do not understand why people buy virtual items, that do not bring any functional value. In my research I will try to demostrate that people purchase virtual goods to obtain social and emotional value, just like goods in real life. Anyways, thanks a lot for your contribution to this topic! Have a nice weekend!

@Coffee Pancakethank you for your contribution, i highly appreciate it. Yes, I am new to this community as well as to other Metaverse communities and this topic is new to me. However, I am trying to learn step by step and hope people will share their experiences and help me. Thanks again for your time. Have a nice weekend. Gulia