PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH IN

Learning about NASA Missions in Virtual Reality 

Recruiting remote participation of people with their own PCVR headsets, for example: a Valve Index, an HTC Vive or Vive Pro, A Bigscreen Beyond, an Oculus Rift, an Oculus Rift S, an Oculus Quest/Quest 2/Quest Pro with a Link cable or any other PCVR headset that is compatible with Steam VR/Oculus software and VRChat. 

We are looking for volunteers to invite a VRChat friend and take part in a study of how experiences in virtual reality (VR) can support learning about NASA missions in space and how it might affect interest or support for publicly funded space science. 

As a participant in this study, you would be asked to:

Take part in a VRChat virtual reality exhibit. In the exhibit you will wear your own virtual reality head-mounted display to enter into a computer-generated, virtual reality environment(s).You will interact with the environment which includes assets from the NASA 3D model library and have the opportunity to engage in activities within the environment(s). Expert facilitators may ask you questions about your interactions with the virtual environment and may ask for clarification of your explanations.

You and your friend would be asked to do semi-structured pre and post interviews that will be video and audio recorded by the facilitator using Open Broadcaster Software. You would also be observed by the research team and video and audio recorded by the facilitator using Open Broadcaster Software during your participation in the VR environments. Your participation would involve one session, approximately one and a half to two hours. The amount of time you take to interact with the exhibit is your decision, in accordance with your own timeline, interest, etc.

As a thank-you for participating in this study, all participants will receive a code for $50 CAD Steam gift card via email once the VR study session is complete. 

All video/audio data will be transcribed and anonymized. We will only use pseudonyms for the participants in our research publications and presentations. We will not share the videos of technology interactions or interviews in any public forum. We will only use anonymized transcripts for sharing interviews and group discussions as part of written articles and presentations. 

Computer Hardware Recommendations:

Processor: Quad-core processor capable of 4.0 GHz, or better

Graphics: GTX 1060 6GB is required; GTX 1070 or better is recommended

Memory: 8GB required; 16GB recommended

Storage: 3GB of free storage space 

A stable internet connection

Please read this consent form and indicate that you have read it by selecting the appropriate box in the contact form. When you sign up for the study, you will also receive a copy of this consent form by email. You will be able to provide verbal consent for participation in this study and ask any questions you may have, at the beginning of your scheduled VR study session in VRChat.