The design, experiment, analyse, and reproduce principle for experimentation in virtual reality
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Date
2023-04-12
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Conducting experiments in virtual reality (VR) requires a complex setup of hardware, software, experiment design and implementation, and data collection which is supported by frameworks that provide pre-determined features for scientists to implement their experiment in VR. These VR frameworks have proliferated exponentially since the start of the millennia, and unfortunately, they both only differ slightly from one another and often miss one or more of the key features required by the researcher. Therefore, it has become less clear to researchers which framework to choose for what task and to what benefit. I introduce the design, experiment, analyse, and reproduce (DEAR) principle to develop a new perspective on VR frameworks through a holistic approach to experimentation (i.e., the process of conducting an experiment). The DEAR principle lays out the core components that future frameworks should entail. Most previous VR frameworks have focussed on the design phase and sometimes on the experiment phase to help researchers create and conduct experiments. However, being able to create an experiment with a framework is not sufficient for wide adoption. Ultimately, I argue that it is important to take reproducibility seriously to overcome the limitations of current frameworks. Once experiments are fully reproducible through automation, the adaptation of new experiments becomes easier. Hopefully, researchers can find ways to converge in the use of frameworks or else frameworks may become a hindrance instead of a help.
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Publication status
published
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Book title
Journal / series
Volume
4
Pages / Article No.
1069423
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
virtual reality; digital twin; framework; reproducibility; experiments; experimentation
Organisational unit
03901 - Raubal, Martin / Raubal, Martin
03987 - Hölscher, Christoph / Hölscher, Christoph
02261 - Center for Sustainable Future Mobility / Center for Sustainable Future Mobility
08698 - Game Technology Center (GTC)
Notes
JG was supported by the ETH Doc.Mobility fellowship.
Perspective.
Perspective.
Funding
ETH-15 16-2 - A Cognitive Science Approach to Evidence-Based Design Using Virtual Reality (ETHZ)