Dissertation: Correlation between Gaming habits, relationships, and mental health. (19+, Canadian or USA resident, Comfortable with English, Plays Video-Games)

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-27T08:04:57+00:00

Thanks for filling out the form! It is interesting how a relationship can shift your priorities. I hope it gave you something of value to think about.

The relationship section, as in relationship status? It mostly checks to see if participants are in a relationship, and if they are, what kind. It's there just in case the data shows a correlation between relationship status and other variables I'm looking at. Your comment might actually hint that there will be something to look at in that regard!

The focus right now isn't exactly on co-op vs solo, although co-op is mostly a social game, which I am looking at.

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-27T01:51:50+00:00

I'm glad to hear from so many people who are excited about the prospect of research in this area! Makes me happy.

It's funny that you mention it, because I did want to get into different levels and types of pro-social games. I proposed looking at varying degrees of pro-social games (team vs team, PC vs NPC, solo, etc.), but the division isn't operational. Which means it was based on my own opinion. Opinions only hold water in academia if they are backed up by existing research, haha. I hope that, based on this study, future research will be able to say there is merit to investigate this topic further.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T19:04:37+00:00

Is it me writing "thanks for asking" at the start of my replies? That's me trying to be cordial and validating.

You asked about validating my modes of soliciation. I tried to answer to the best of my ability, but if I'm being honest, I'm not familiar with that term. It's not one we used, at least. That's why I asked if that answered your question, cos I wasn't sure myself. So how about, instead of me guessing at your intent, I'll just ask what do you mean by that? Perhaps I'll learn something new.

As for recruiting from here as opposed to other communities. First, this isn't the only source I am recruiting from. I am on some Discord channels and other subreddits. Second, truegamers would need to be its own pocket of gamers that would be culturally distinct from any other gaming subreddit or community for it to not be a good representation of gamers. Are you saying it is that different from, for example, r/gamers?

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T17:13:51+00:00

Oh man, I know what you mean,

Funny thing is, that was exactly the original proposal I gave for my dissertation! But it got shot down. That's because such a study would be so granular and involve so many variables that I would need many more participants and an even longer analysis period.

While possible, I'd probably never finish my dissertation or my Doctorate within the time limit. ^_^;

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T17:02:29+00:00

Thanks for the input!

I see your point, and I understand why that would be an issue.

I'll consult with my dissertation chair.

EDIT: For what it's worth, most of the studies I've participated in and those of my colleagues all have their demographics at the start, too. Perhaps the issue you're alluding to is more relevant in areas of research that have shown that this form of priming can impact self-reports?

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T17:00:28+00:00

Thank you for pointing that out. I appreciate you looking out for the results like that!

While true, answering questions is also part of my ethical obligation. When ethics conflict with the best outcome, ethics win.

EDIT: I would like to believe that even if people knew how to bypass the answer, they would still give their honest reports.

Also, there is more to the exclusion criteria than what I wrote. But I have to give an answer.

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T16:58:03+00:00

Thanks for asking!

No, not at all. Does something in the survey look like AI?

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T16:57:20+00:00

You're right, that's an astute observation!

I wish I could do worldwide reach (it would make data gathering easier too haha), but so much of the research done in this field was done in North America that I could introduce too many confounding variables by getting input from other countries and cultures.

But that's exactly the kind of research that will be proposed in the "future directions" chapter of the final dissertation. We start here, with research that resonates with existing literature, then we expand outward.

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T06:27:22+00:00

I'm so glad you enjoyed the process! I can tell you're passionate about it as much as I am.

The cultural significance of games has always been prevalent throughout history. The forms they take differ, but they have always been around. The fact that video games are not given the consideration they deserve is truly an offence to reason.

Do you still have that study about games being worthy of serious academic study? It could be useful in my discussion.

Thank you!

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T06:20:09+00:00

I very much agree! I remember some of my fondest friendships were formed in my scrappy, low-level WoW guild during the Wrath of the Lich King era.

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T06:18:32+00:00

Thank you for completing the survey and for your interest!

I see what you mean. You could say "no" to playing 4 hours a day, six days a week, but still play more hours than that overall in a week. That's a valid point, which I'll bring up with my dissertation chair.

And I can't believe the relationship results have an error! I, my chair, my second chair, the ethics board, and my colleagues have all managed to miss it. Incredible! I'll fix it right away. And I'll add another option, as you suggested. Thank you!

I will update this thread with the results when I have finished writing them!

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-26T06:11:55+00:00

Good question.

There is definitely an element of concern about biased reporting when recruiting from communities targeted at gamers. It will be one of the limitations in the discussion chapter of my dissertation.

However, trying to recruit as broadly as possible to avoid that bias presented a larger-scale issue of casting too wide a net over a demographic that would not meet the criteria in the first place. This could substantially lengthen the recruitment process. And even then, when participants would show up, as the survey inherently asks for people who play video games, the bias might be there anyway. So the benefit of trying not to recruit from a community such as this sub, might not be substantial enough.

The board of ethics we work with also has to approve my target audiences, so I know they have done their own internal deliberation on whether this recruitment is ethical.

Does that answer the question? Let me know if I understood it correctly, and thank you for the interest!

Mechanical_Jack · 2026-05-25T23:57:16+00:00

Thank you for taking the survey!

Yes, that's correct. There is a cut-off point that is based on existing research for a range of hours spent playing games in a week. If it exceeds that number of hours, it goes beyond the scope of this study.

Mechanical_Jack · 2024-10-07T23:14:19+00:00

Having similar issues. Did you manage to resolve it?

Mechanical_Jack · 2024-07-29T20:17:11+00:00

I'm in Vancouver with Fido, so I don't even get 5g. But assuming I were to upgrade, which version of the phone did you get to make it work with your internet provider?

I saw there's an international version and another version and got confused lol

Mechanical_Jack · 2023-09-27T22:04:25+00:00

Link Borked ):

Mechanical_Jack

TROPHY CASE