Realism and Experiments: Investigating Virtual Reality Experiments

Presenter Information

Jannes Heinrich Diedrich Menck, University of GoettingenFollow
Henrik Lechte, University of GoettingenFollow
Monika Riedel, University of GoettingenFollow
Josephine Helen Chiyere Jaja, Chair of Information ManagementFollow
Johannes Tümler, Hochschule Anhalt, University of Applied SciencesFollow

Paper Number

1082

Paper Type

Completed

Description

Experimental research is a fundamental component of scientific inquiry, but the realism of experimental settings may be limited due to a trade-off between internal and external validity. Virtual Reality technology offers a potential solution to this problem by creating highly controlled, yet realistic experimental settings. In this study, we investigate the potential of VR to increase perceived realism in experimental research by identifying and examining the effects of VR experiments on participants' perceived realism. In our experiment, we compare the level of perceived realism between artificial scenarios presented as text vignettes and in VR. Our findings indicate that VR experiments elicite a significantly higher level of perceived realism compared to text-based experiments. Additionally, we use partial least squares structural equation modeling to investigate the identified concepts. We recommend that researchers consider using VR technology to enhance the realism of experimental settings and improve the validity of their findings.

Comments

20-Theory

Recommended Citation

Menck, Jannes Heinrich Diedrich; Lechte, Henrik; Riedel, Monika; Jaja, Josephine Helen Chiyere; and Tümler, Johannes, "Realism and Experiments: Investigating Virtual Reality Experiments" (2023). ICIS 2023 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2023/adv_theory/adv_theory/1