WCS
A few weeks ago I was having some issues with my thesis topic for my Master's in criminology. Through some lengthy discussion, and thoughts of others I discovered that my wording for my thesis was terrible and this lead to my and everyone else's confusion. More than this I decided on what I really wanted to look at for the next two years!
Currently, I have decided on the following:
- I will be conducting covert participant observational research
- I will be conducting interviews with key individuals I meet through my observation
- I will analyse all my data using Qualitative Content Analysis
Well what's my thesis topic you may ask? Well I'll tell you
The expression of non-ludic interpersonal aggression in video game play.
If you don't get what I mean I'll describe it for you
Ludology is the study of video games. There is an academic term which is derived from this and that is the term "ludic". The term ludic is an adjective that can be used to describe an action as particular to video game play.
Call of Duty is an example of a Ludic War in which players conduct a war in a video game. Chess for Windows is Ludic-chess. Starcraft is Ludic Grand War as well (though on a totally different scale from COD).
So what does this have to do with my thesis topic?
Well I am looking at the expression of violence and aggression between people who play video games outside of the expected violence which occurs in video games as the result of in game objectives and requirements.
So non-ludic interpersonal aggression refers to physical altercations, yelling, and swearing or insulting others outside the game environment or in the game environment but outside of the expected in game actions. So shooting someone or killing them in a game isn't part of my study but telling them to "F***" their "Mother's Cancerous C***" would be.
Nobody has really looked at this topic qualitatively so I am super excited :D. I have decided to dedicate this blog to whatever findings I can post and for when I need some brainstorming help to figure stuff out. I figure posting (semi) regularly once I start data collection will help keep me motivated to finish my Masters degree. This is assuming what I choose to post is well within the bounds of ethics board approval. So long as I keep it really general it should be. :D
Thanks for Reading!
TL;DR: For the next two years I get to study video game playing for a master's thesis and it will be awesome. Gonna post here when I'm stuck and when I find something cool as long as I can ethically (Academically) justify it.
