Starting my literature review

I got to be honest. I can't take my mind off my research. The momentum has started and cannot stop. But I won't be doing any writing though. I'll continue my methodology chapter next week. For now, I'll start with my literature review. Dr V. Chen had a lecture with ETD about how to do literature review. We are still editing video-recording of his lecture. I'll provide you the URL link once it is ready. If you have not attend his class, his ppt can be downloaded here . Dr Chen told me that next intake for his class will be next Jan 09.

First few steps in literature review, according to him, is to identify key concepts. Next is to list down as many synonyms as possible. He said that when browsing through database, work with one word at a time. I am going to work with google scholar and for a start, I will collect references for a keyword "fiction" in mmog - "fiction + mmog or mmorpg". I hope to see what other keywords can I draw from the references.

2-year research study plan

I have completed my last assignment for Dr M's class this afternoon. It was a paper entitled, Massively Multiplayer Online Games: Productive play "sandpits". 15-page paper and it took me 5 days. I brain is aching and if I only could take it out, massage it and leave it in a fridge for a week. I am mentally exhausted and drained. Looking back, with all the assignments for Steve's and Dr M's classes put together, I could possibly have written more than 100 pages (single space). Yes, I deserve a break. Anyway, above is the study schedule I am committed to. I have written Chapter 1 and my methodology chapter is halfway through. I have till end of June to finish it. Comfortabe runway for me since my work has started to pickup pace.

How players "read" a game?

It's is funny that while I blog what I am doing for my study, I never mention what my research topic is. My research topic is to find out how players "read" a game and the game genre I am interested in is MMOG. I am confident that we can develop a theory that describe how players "read" game and grounded theory approach will help me achieve that.

Just as learners may not necessarily take the view propounded an author when reading a book, and in some instances they may take a totally opposite and unexpected view, in MMOG too there is likelihood that players may not necessarily "read" a game as game designers and developers would want them to (Gee, 2003). We can better understand what players take away from playing a game by looking into the conversations and interactions players have with other players (Shaffer, 2007), and answer question that will broaden our understanding of social interactions, culture and practices in MMOG. So I will be focusing on a phenomenon or process and my study would look into evidences that will allow understanding of the process that links the two dynamics - players' interactions and conversation that emerge form social structures in MMOG, and their playing experience.

My study has potential to contribute to research on games for learning, because educators who are interested in exploring MMOG as a learning tool have to be aware of the nature of social play and community dynamic found in MMOGs. Furthermore, different learning opportunities are afforded in MMOGs based on different social context found in them (Squire & Jan, 2007). As such, designing MMOG for learning entails not only structuring learning activities to cover an intended syllabus, but also to view MMOG as a social system and to design game and social structures in MMOG that will engender interactions and conversations that are favourable for learning.

I have explored other qualitative approaches during my qualitative class but I feel social constructivist approach to grounded theory by Charmaz (2006) is most suitable (and I am also exploring Adele Clarke's situational analysis on top of Charmaz's approach). Many will argue that qualitative research is not aimed for generalizability but I feel constant comparison method to draw theoretical categories and theoretical concerns to the point of category saturation will end me up with a theory to describe the phenomenon I am investigating.

Choosing the right methodology and methods are important to give credibility to our findings and for readers to take our work seriously (Smagorinsky, 2008). Stories I write if I were to use narrative approaches (Polkinghorne, 1995), would at best explain a phenomenon with respect to a local setting (my specific research site). The same can be said with case study research (Yin, 2005; Stake, 1995). Phenomenology (Moustakas, 1994) would leave me with categories so thin that I can hardy pull them together to draw out a theory. Traditional grounded theory (Rock, 2001; LeCompte & Preissle, 1993) is a no as explained in my earlier post. Mixed method is interesting and Johnson & Onwuegbuzie (2004)'s approach is one version of a few versions of mixed methods approaches. I have heard a seminar by Dr Chen W. who said that in mixed method, quantitative methods may be used to affirm findings from qualitative methods (a turn around from Johnson and Onwuegbuzie). Anyway, I have explored the possibility of getting quatitative data by mining one the game servers of the MMOG I am researching on. However, the game distributor company chooses to put on deaf ears to my request. Ah well, I understand perfectly why they are doing so. : )

I love Paul Pots and Susan Boyle!!!

I have been watching snippets of performances in Britain Got Talent show in youtube every time I take a break from my writing. I must say, Paul Pots and Susan Boyle got my votes. Excellent voice! Simon is right. It is exciting to find ordinary people, not a professional entertainer, but with a talent they didn't know they have and when they start performing, they're just brilliant to describe.
Well done Paul and Susan!

Larsen's thoughts on virtual ethnography field notes

I found Larsen's posting interesting (click on pic). Larsen reported on her online observations and experiences with several Danish social networking websites that formed part of her virtual ethnography. She found that by keeping the perimeter of her report solely around her online observations and experiences of the websites, she was not getting enough what Geertz calls "thick descriptions". She felt that she need to extend the perimeter to encompass her larger observations and learning experiences beyond the websites.

I believe she is likely to do grounded theory because her supervisor had asked her to explore the work of Adele Clark on Situational Analysis. The folklore theory is that everything is situated and to better address the complexities of social life, Clarke (2003) argues that we need to "situate research individually, collectively, social organizationally and institutionally, temporally, geographically, materially, culturally, symbolically, visually and discursively" (p. 554) to produce "thick descriptions" data. Clark's situational analysis is an adaptation to some aspects of Glazer and Strauss' classic grounded theory analysis, and which according to her can bring to light "the usually invisible and inchoate social features of a situation more visible: all the key elements in the situation and their interrelations; the social worlds and arenas in which the phenomena interest are embedded" (p. 572).

Putting Clark's Situational Analysis aside, I would like to reflect on the fundamental differences between traditional ethnography of qualitative research (Rock, 2001; Mohan, 2004) and grounded theory ethnography (Dey, 1999; Charmaz, 2006) based on Larsen's posting above, course readings and additional readings I had, and my writing of my methodology chapter.

What I realise immediately about comparative method analysis of grounded theory is that whatever you do in ethnography (taking down fieldnotes, intensive interviewing and textual analysis of elicited and extant text), everything is guided by theoretical concerns. The comparative method begets continuous comparing of new data with all prior data collected to draw out, if any, emerging conceptual categories. These categories are used to identify theoretical concerns and the theoretical sampling is then enlarged to address these theoretical concerns. The comparative analysis is then repeated with new data and data collection concludes when category saturation is reached. Category saturation is where no new conceptual category emerges from new data collected. As such, decisions on what kind of evidences, how they will be used, how data gathering will be designed and how the evidences will be collected, are continuously shaped throughout the process of simultaneous data collection and analysis.

Even if we have supplementary data sources, like in Larsen's case, data from these sources should be subjected to the same comparative analysis method with our ethnography data so that they can also be used to draw conceptual categories and theoretical concerns to direct where our research should go. You cannot find all these in traditional ethnography. That is why many researchers are attracted to include comparative analysis of grounded theory into their ethnography.

Traditional ethnography is focused on describing a setting. That is why you can afford to wait for a "fairy godmother (informant)" to come by "to help the forlorn ethnography" (Rock, 2001, p. 34) in traditional ethnography. There is also a danger in traditional ethnography that you will end up having a lot of data (more than you could probably digest) and it is not so much for the sake of "thick descriptions" but because you do not know when to stop collecting.

Grounded theory ethnography is concerned with a phenomenon or a process. Grounded theory ethnographer looks into what is happening in a setting, makes "a conceptual rendering of these actions" (Charmaz, 2006, p. 22), and creates connections between events to understand the studied process. He or she is willing to cover more grounds and expand access within a setting, in anticipating a possibility of more understanding of the studied process. So the direction is clear with grounded theory ethnography. Even at the start of the data collection stage, the ethnographer will find relevant information before coming up with an initial sampling. Theoretical concerns drawn from the initial sampling will guide in drawing up a theoretical sampling, and the comparative analysis method follows to shape the direction of the research.

Epistemological belief

One of the required readings on Grounded Theory Steve gave us was one by Dey (1999) entitled, Grounding grounded theory: Guidelines for qualitative inquiry. A section in that paper mentions briefly how Glazer and Strauss took different directions in developing grounded theory further after introducing grounded theory to the world back in 1967. My first impression was that both Glazer and Strauss had a fight and decided to go their separate ways. While Glazer chose to remain alone, Strauss found a new ally in Corbin. Hmm...how silly can I be!

Charmaz's (2006) book Constructing Grounded Theory and Locke's (2001) book Grounded Theory in Management Research enlighten what actually happened. What happened was that both remained true to their own epistemological belief.

Glazer had history of quantitative training under the tutelage of Paul Lazarfield at Columbia University. Glazer was very much influence by Lazarfield's work on quantitative research that he saw the possibility of codifying qualitative research methods as how Lazarfield had codified quantitative research. So Glazer brought into grounded theory "dispassionate empiricism, rigorous codified methods, emphasis on emergent discoveries, and its somewhat ambiguous specialized language that echoes quantitative methods" (Charmaz, 2006, p. 7) and is responsible for the objectivist face of grounded theory.

Strauss, on the other hand, did his doctorate in University of Chicago and he was exposed to the humanistic branch of symbolic interactionism through the works of Blumer and Mead. Humanistic branch of symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective that assumes self, society and reality are constructed through interaction (how people create, enact and change meanings and actions), where language and communication play an important role. So Strauss brought into grounded theory both symbolic interactionism and ethnographic research, and gave a constructivist face to grounded theory.

Being new to research, the importance of surfacing what my epistemological belief is and staying true to it is something I have not learn to appreciate. I guess young researchers like me (or it could only be me alone) tend to settle on what is most convenient for research. I mean, any epistemological belief will do as long as it fits nicely with a research approach that is easy and fits nicely into our schedule. It was so important for Glazer and Strauss to show commitment to their epistemological belief because they see themselves as lens through which their audiences see their research with. With that lens, the audiences can see "what kind of knowledge is possible and how [they] can ensure that [the knowledge] are adequate and legitimate" (Maynard, 1990, as cited in Crotty, 998, p. 8)

Foundation theories of play

I have decided to change the focus of my paper for Dr M's class (last assignment) and re-title it to MMOGS: Productive Play "Sandpits. So no more focus on superstitions. I am reading works by Huizinga (Homo Ludens: A Study of Play Element in Culture) and Caillois (Man, Play and Games) to understand their foundation theories on play. I am also using "cited by who" function, to see how their theories are criticized by games researchers. Google search using: huizinga OR Caillios +mmog OR mmorpg +"homo ludens" or "Man, play and games" Result: 53 items (nice and manageable *grin)

Culture Unplugged Video

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Worth your time to watch this. Don't forget to invite your kids to join too. Good visual reflection.

Research design

I finally finish my Final Research Proposal paper for Steve's class. The last section that touches on research design really forces me to confront what methodology I would like to consider for my study. I am glad that this assignment comes very early in my study because I see it is important to set the path clear from the very beginning. What comes ahead now look very clear and comprehensible and I really can't wait till next Jan 2010 to collect my data. : )

I know more now about grounded theory and methods I can adopt for my study. I feel I am confident enough to defend orally my choice of methodology and methods. This assignment has also made me relook at my subjectivity. I realise that I have not include some aspects. Steve is right. Subejctivity is not a "once and for all" exercie but more like discovering bit and pieces, one at a time, and picking them up as you move along your study. Good reflecting exercise indeed.

Anyway, I bump into a useful guide on APA5 formatting. If you like to take a peek at it, it is here.
What's next? Dr M's final assignment and I have only a week to complete it! How I wish I have more time. : /

Bigger than Braveheart!

Oh you just have got to watch this (click on pic, pls). Very inspiring! Tears well in my eyes when I hear her sing. Tell me if you experience the same. A welcome distraction to my writing. I am firm believer that each and everyone of us are special. If only we could be less cynical, open-minded and see beyond a person appearance, else we would miss how special a person can be.

More on her can be found here.

Dissertation Doctor

My supervisor directed me to this website (click on pic) which I feel is useful if you need quick information about writing a dissertation. While browsing, I found this nice picture that liken a dissertation process to a journey. Where I am in that journey now? Well, I have move far ahead from the Gremlin's cave and now in the midst of literature fog. I think I will camp here for the next six months to have a good footing on things around me. : ) I'll survive for sure....for whenever I get bored, I just log into my game.

Hmm...there is a short cut that can bring me straight into finishing my writing. I wonder what that short cut is all about. *reading from the website* Oh...it's is about good strategies to make the journey easy and pleasant. What a suspens! For a moment I thought it's a shortcut just like in game that give you an advantage over the system without doing much work. *disappointed* I guess no pain no gain, huh? : )

Btw, where are you in your journey now? Isolated island?

Constructing Grounded Theory by Charmaz

I bought this book during lunch today at NIE bookshop. This book is the first of a few more book on grounded theory that will be my close companions as I continue my journey pursuing a doctoral degree.

Why Charmaz's book is important? Charmaz criticises Glazer's and Strauss' classic grounded theory for not committing to any epistemological assumption. The classic grounded theory expects researchers to be free from taking any philosophical approach and theoretical perspective when beginning their inquiry, to the point that literature review should be conducted only after data has been collected and an independent analysis has been developed by the researcher. Charmaz proposes a social constructivist approach to grounded theory to show that researcher can make a commitment to a theoretical perspective and an epistemological assumption. According to Charmaz, her contructivist approach to grounded theory "takes implicit meanings, experiential views, and grounded theory analyses as constructions of reality" and it complements well with symbolic interactionism (which is the theoretical perspective I take for my study) because "both perspectives emphasize the study of how action and meaning are constructed" (Charmaz, 2003, p. 314).

Anyway, on a seprate note, I didn't have much time to blog these days because most of my free time was spent on reading, writing and rewriting. Well, I have no complaint because I enjoy doing just that. How I wish I can lock myself up in my room every weekend and just write. Hmm...my wife and kids wouldn't like that. Ahh...the struggle to strike a balance.

Research is storytelling

It was a good critique session I had with Dr M today. While how I position my paper will depend a great deal on how my analysis turns out, at least now I can see possible paths that I may want to look deeper into from suggestions given by Dr M. One thing I learn today from Dr M which Prof DH also underscored in a sharing session I attend last week is that it would be best if we have research that challenge conventional thinking because it makes it a good story to read. So research is like storytelling. Well it's not about cooking up lies but how to position your research from an angle that is never thought of before. Like this book.

The conventional thinking is that it is wise to follow an elite few instead of the masses but his book tells a different story that many are actually smarter than the few. I am wondering now what is conventional thinking about some phenomenon in MMOG that I can show the contrary. Hmmm. : ?

Second best to this kind of story, I think, is what Prof DH said. If you can't tell this kind of story, then tell a story that goes well with conventional thinking but which people cannot describe in details. So your research is like providing the "thick description" of something people have accepted but can't describe. Well, I can think of Steinkuehler research on cognition and learning in MMOG. The conventional thinking is that people know learning occurs in MMOG but cannot describe how it takes place.

So what what kind of story will you be telling from your research?

Superstition and Powepuff Girls???

I was watching Powerpuff Girls cartoons with my kids this evening from youtube when I saw this one below. The theme for this episode it seems is too teach kids to kick out superstitions. People love it and it gets 5-star ratings. Wonder how should I read the ratings. I didn't realise that the entertainment industry sees great need to educate kids about superstitions. It makes me wonder how prevalent are superstitions among kids? I remember reading somewhere that says kids drop their superstitions as they grow older. So superstitions affect all ages. I wonder what superstitious belief my kids have. I'll go find out. ^^ You may want to find out what superstitious belief your kids have. Glad if you could share. : )

Understanding superstitions in MMOGs paper completed

Phew! I have just completed my "Understanding superstitions in MMOGs" paper for Dr M's class about five minutes ago. 17 pages in all. It took me 9 days to finish writing it! I am pretty much breathless now. Let me catch my breath first. huh..huh..huh..*panting* : )

This paper was meant to support certain conjectures I make about MMOG in my Chapter 1 but the analysis and findings portion took it to a different path. I did not anticipate this but I guess that what happen when you do research, I mean you have to expect that you research may not turn out what you though it would. Any case all is not lost. This experience is a good reflective exercise for me to look deeper into my research site. There are links to my research topic which I need to uncover.

My next paper for Dr M's class is a follow up paper to this where I will provide more evidences to support my findings and suggest how superstition in MMOG can be redefined. I have identified two forum threads and will analysis the discussions there. I will be focusing on the interplay between individual cognition and community cognition. I have written a nice abstract for that. I look forward to the critique session with Dr M this Wednesday.

Life is short

This is a welcome distraction from my research work. I received an email yesterday about Katie Kirkpatrick. Well, what happened to her may not be news to many already because it happened like five years ago. But for me, I didn't know about it. Anyway, I thought it will be a good reflection for me whetever I lose sight of the big picture, the most important thing in life, so I put it here in my blog. Not to forget at least a good reflection for all who visit my blog.

The Bride was beautiful post describes nicely what happened to Katie

Cancer had to wait.

21 year-old Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin held off her cancer so she could have her happiest day of her life. She had battle her cancer but it always returned. She had to use an oxygen tank to breath, the pain the back was so strong in broke though the morphine and her organs were shutting down. Yet all this was not able to stop her from marrying Nick Godwin who'd loves her from 11th grade.

Katie got married on January 15, 2005 five days lated she died. That's how love can beat even the toughest sickness

The video is in Spanish I believe. I like it the background music so I choose it over another version in English. Many people blog about her. This particular one may be of interest to you.

masterwordsmith-unplugged: THE SHORT LIFE OF KATIE KIRKPATRICK