{"id":9833,"date":"2022-07-13T11:34:22","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T11:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8d.nl\/mogelijkheden\/serious-games-for-research\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T09:19:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T09:19:56","slug":"games-in-research","status":"publish","type":"mogelijkheden","link":"https:\/\/8d.nl\/en\/mogelijkheden\/games-in-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Serious games for research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Serious Games as a Research Tool<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Games as a Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Serious games can contribute to scientific research in many different ways and at many different stages. Think of collecting quantitative data using a digital serious game as a research instrument, but also consider all the research opportunities that the game development process<\/a><\/em> itself brings. Design-based research<\/a><\/em> with smart use of game principles\u2014what can that mean for you as a researcher? Find out on this page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Navigation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is research with gaming so effective?<\/a><\/strong>

– Taboo-breaking action research \u00a0<\/mark><\/a>– Psychologically based<\/mark><\/a>– The final product as a learning (research) tool<\/mark><\/a><\/a><\/mark><\/p> <\/div>

Examples of game-based research<\/a><\/strong>

– <\/strong>Herstel <\/span>na een IC-opname<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/a><\/strong>– <\/a><\/mark>Inzicht in complexe dilemma\u2019s<\/span><\/mark><\/a>– Balanstraining met inzicht in data<\/span><\/mark><\/a>– Toetsen cognitieve vaardigheden bij kinderen met CMB<\/mark><\/a><\/span>– <\/strong>Research naar lees- en spreekvaardigheid bij kinderen<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/a><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n Gaming as a taboo-breaking form of action research <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Game designers work with insights from psychology <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n The end product is a learning (research) tool <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n Questions? Or looking for advice? <\/h5>\n

\n Call 058 843 57 57<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n \n

\n Johan is ready to help you! <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more about serious games as a research tool<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Want to know more about serious games as a research tool\u2014and all the ways science, psychology, and gaming intersect? Download our latest whitepaper: ‘The Science Behind Gaming.’<\/a>.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n \n Science behind gaming <\/i> <\/a>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In conversation with professionals from the Serious Gaming Research Group at NHL Stenden and experienced game designers, we delve deeper into this topic. Twenty pages packed with insights to help you better explore the possibilities of gaming for your research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n

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Why is research with gaming so effective?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How can we explain that serious gaming is such an effective research tool? This is largely due to the methodology, psychological foundations, and subsequent data collection. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Breaking taboos through action research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The development of a serious game is a highly social process in which end-users play a crucial role. Therefore, the process of game development<\/em> is highly suitable for qualitative research: how does the target audience experience this issue? Is there an underlying problem that we need to uncover first? Co-creation, design thinking, and iterative work are central to this. These methodologies<\/a> are very sensitive and effective when researching experiences and attitudes, especially when dealing with a sensitive subject. ‘Creating a game together’ provides a safe context to discuss sensitive or complex topics. After all, it’s about characters, gameplay, and narratives\u2014not about you, if you don’t want it to be as a participant. This makes it easier to address issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Psychologically grounded<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Game designers are skilled at using insights from psychology in game design. By choosing the right game mechanics, they simulate behaviors and interactions that are otherwise difficult to study. This provides valuable insights for your research. The beauty of game development is that it doesn’t remain theoretical\u2014the designs and game interactions are extensively tested in practice with the target audience. If a mechanic doesn’t work as expected, it almost always yields something else: insights that refine the scope of your research, or a nuance that no one could have anticipated beforehand. Learning through design enables learning through research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The end product as a learning (research) tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A digital game can collect all kinds of data about the player, providing valuable input for your research. As a technical partner, we ensure that the data can be shared securely and in compliance with GDPR guidelines with researchers and practitioners. However, generating data for research is not limited to digital games. In fact, a fully developed game is not always necessary. Prototypes and exploratory sessions that apply a serious gaming strategy also offer tremendous possibilities. Additionally, a serious game often evolves over many years based on user experiences. At every stage, researchers can learn something new about the target audience and the issue at hand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Examples of game based research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MCL Rehabilitation Game<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How can gaming support patients in recovering after an ICU stay?<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Recovery after an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay often takes months and sometimes even years. How can this rehabilitation process be made as pleasant and effective as possible, and what role can technology and gaming play in it? This question was central to the doctoral research of researcher Lise Beumeler. In 2023, she successfully completed her research for the Medical Center Leeuwarden and RuG Campus Frysl\u00e2n, receiving national attention for the results. During the research process, 8D was the technical partner. Colleague Johan van der Meulen<\/a> was particularly involved in the lead-up to Beumeler\u2019s dissertation ‘I See You: unravelling pathways of recovery after critical illness<\/a>.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technologies such as virtual reality and sensors can relieve the burden on healthcare and increase adherence to therapy, provided they are developed from the beginning based on the needs and capabilities of the target audience. This aspect received significant attention throughout the research process. For instance, various types of hardware and games were tested together with both patients and ICU staff. Contrary to expectations, it turned out that virtual reality genuinely excited the patients and\u2014more importantly\u2014effectively shifted the focus from ‘rehabilitation’ to ‘playing.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The collaboration resulted in a VR prototype with infrared sensors that support patients in the rehabilitation process. In the game, players work on a puzzle and are challenged to reach further for the missing pieces. This requires them to make the exact arm movements that are beneficial for their recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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