worlds on the Internet, such as Second Life can be used to help people w=
ith ME/CFS, particularly in overcoming some of the isolation that is ofte=
n associated with these conditions, as well as providing a place where pe=
ople can meet others, and share information and support.
We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to participate in Cana=
da and Australia. This would involve two interviews either over the phone=
or through Skype with one of our researchers, approximately six months a=
part, as well as participating in a focus group discussion to be held in =
Second Life in which other participants in the study from both Australia =
and Canada would take part.
At the end of the study all participants will be able to maintain their f=
ree Second Life account and continue to have access to all the online fac=
ilities being constructed for this study on Murdoch University=92s Second=
Life Campus.
If you are interested in participating please contact Dr Mike Kent via em=
ail at <mike.kent@cultware.com> or on 0412 442 808.
What are we trying to find out?
This research is looking at the potential for virtual worlds such as Seco=
nd Life to help ease the isolation that is often associated with conditio=
ns such as ME/CFS. There is an existing ME/CFS support group in Second Li=
fe that speaks very highly of the positive effect participation in Second=
Life has had on their lives, and this study is looking at how these expe=
riences might to transferable to the broader ME/CFS community.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for volunteers who currently have ME/CFS and are connected=
to the Internet and who would be interested in participating in this stu=
dy. You would need to have a broadband connection of some sort and a comp=
uter capable of running the Second Life Software (generally a computer th=
at was purchased in the last 3 or 4 years).
What would you be asked to do?
There would be two interviews that take place either over the phone or th=
rough the Internet using Skype that would be arranged approximately six m=
onths apart at your convenience as well as participation in a focus group=
with other people in the study that would be conducted in Second Life.
What is Second Life?
Second Life is a virtual world accessed through the Internet. It creates =
a 3D virtual world, where people are able to virtually move around and in=
teract with the world and with each other. Murdoch University has develop=
ed its own campus on Second Life, with a dedicated building for this rese=
arch.
Who is conducting this research?
This research is being conducted by Murdoch University through funding fr=
om the Australia Research Council. The Chief Investigator in this project=
is Dr Kirsty Best. Dr Best has been heavily involved in the ME/CFS suppo=
rt community in her native Canada before moving to Australia and maintain=
s strong links with that organisation. Dr Mike Kent is the researcher wit=
h responsibility for the Australian based division of this project.
I am currently running a research project in Canada and Australia that is=
looking at the potential for the virtual world Second Life to help ease =
the isolation frequently experienced by people with ME/CFS. I was wonderi=
ng if you would mind forwarding a request for volunteers in those two cou=
ntries through your site? We have constructed a resource centre in Second=
Life for ME/CFS on Murdoch Universities virtual campus, that we are hopi=
ng will continue as a resource once this study is completed. I have attac=
hed below a suggested letter to be posted if that would be OK. Please fee=
l free to contact me if you would like any further information.
Your faithfully,
Mike
Dr Mike Kent
Critical Digital Hub
The Popular Culture Collective
www.popularculturecollective.com
=20
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