You are hereby invited to participate in a research study conducted by Mr LR Bunt at the School of Computer Science and Information Systems at NWU, Vanderbijlpark Campus.
Title of the Study: "A stakeholder-centred framework for the design of serious games."
Ethics number: N W U - 0 1 7 7 5 - 2 0 - A 9
Principal Investigator: MR LR Bunt
Supervisors: DR JJ Greeff and Prof. E Taylor
Brief Introduction and Purpose of the Study:
This research constructs, applies and evaluates a stakeholder-centred framework for serious game (SRG) design. Such an intelligent system is directed at stakeholders in the process of developing SRGs within their own context(s). Prevailing design frameworks do not focus on the individuals with vested interests and concerns relating to SRG design. As such, no current taxonomic, theoretical or applied frameworks consider organisational communication and the invisible influence of performance parameters such as intergroup interaction, capability management, stakeholder input, vision control, staff activities, production processes, product output, and overall project outcome(s). The research objective puts forward an applied SRG design framework, informed by an integrative literature review which textually analyses the three theoretical pillars of stakeholder theory (ST), SRGs and enterprise architecture (EA) as corpora (body). Metrics for sound decision making for SRG teams investing in policies, projects and programmes are established in this way. This is done to ensure framework applicability to as many scenarios and environments as possible.
Outline of the Procedures:
The participant has the responsibility to answer the survey honestly and accurately; and to complete all questions upon submission of his/her responses. The survey should take no longer than 30-45 minutes to complete, and pertains to the nature and functions of the game jam undertaken by members of the team.
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Important notes regarding the survey:
- A response may be excluded if the survey is incomplete or if the majority of responses are incomprehensible;
- The survey is being disseminated electronically for the convenience of all participants to complete in their own time;
- A follow-up consultation with the participants is foreseen and may take place telephonically or in-person; at the request of the participant; and
- ONLY participants identified for the study may complete the survey.
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Risks or Discomforts to the Participant:
No foreseeable risks or discomforts to participants are expected.
Benefits:
The results of this research can aid in serious game development teams: (i) understanding and taking charge of all serious game activities; (ii) identifying the appropriate roles and stakeholders to design/develop serious games more effectively; (iii) determining which events fall within their control and which do not; (iv) recognising how stakeholders can contribute to functional areas within serious game interest areas; and (v) discover novel plans to use in future serious game contexts. Furthermore, the creation of a stakeholder taxonomy and related professional practice guidelines will benefit future serious game makers.
Reason(s) why the participant may be withdrawn from the study:
A participant can leave the research study at any time. When withdrawing from the study, the participant should let the researcher know that he/she wishes to withdraw. A participant may provide the researcher with the reason(s) for leaving the study, but is not required to provide their reason.
Remuneration:
Participants in this study will NOT receive any form of monetary and/or academic remuneration.
Confidentiality:
The researcher will do the following to maintain participant confidentiality and will protect subjects' privacy by: (a) Using study codes on data documents (e.g. completed questionnaire) instead of recording identifying information and will keep a separate document that links the study code to subjects’ identifying information; (b) Encrypting identifiable data; (c) Removing face sheets containing identifiers (e.g. names and addresses) from survey instruments containing data after receiving from study participants; (d) Properly disposing of, destroying, or deleting study data / documents; (e) Limiting access to identifiable information; (f) Securely storing data documents within locked locations; and/or Assigning of security codes to computerised records.
Persons to contact in the event of any problems or queries:
Please contact the researcher telephonically at 072 088 0188 should the need arise. Alternatively, email
Lance.Bunt@nwu.ac.za.
Potential participants can rest assured that participation in this study is completely voluntary and all identifiable stakeholders involved in the research will be asked to participate. It is not required that ALL of these participants consent to having their responses used in this research. So please do not feel pressured or forced to comply with this form. You have the choice to say "no, thank you".
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