Looking for FFXI players for research study

[ffxiResearch]

Hello. My name is Peter Chan and I am a advanced graduate student in clinical psychology at Alliant International University – California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco, CA. I am currently conducting a study for my final research project on the gender swapping experience of Final Fantasy XI (FFXI) players. I am looking for participants who would be willing to volunteer about two hours of their time to help me with my research. Participation will involve an in-person or over-the-phone interview (depending on where you live), and completion of a short paper-and-pencil rating scale. The interview will take approximately 90 minutes and the rating scale will take about 15 minutes to complete. To participate in the study you must:

- be at least 18 years old.
- have at least 2 years of experience playing FFXI
- have a main character, for a minimum of 1 year, who is another sex from that which you identify as your own.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please call (415) 439-0433 or email ffxi.research at gmail. Please know that all of your information will be kept strictly confidential in this study. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much!

EDIT:
Thank you very much for everyone's help! I have enough male participants already and currently I'm only looking for FEMALE players who play male characters. Please contact me at (415) 439-0433 or email me at ffxi.research at gmail if you are interested. Thank you!

[DakAttack]

Re: Looking for FFXI players for research study

The interview sounds like a hassle. I suppose in graduate school they're expecting a bit more out of you than handing out scales to random people on campus.

I wish I could help, but I've only ever had one character that wasn't of my own sex, and that wasn't for long. I'm not sure that FFXI would be the best game to conduct this study with, due to Mithra/Miqo'te being only female and Galka/Rogadyne being only male.

[ffxiResearch]

Re: Looking for FFXI players for research study

Yes, that is true, but since I played FFXI myself, I figure that would give me a better understanding of the game and the experience of the players while being able to share some common language. It is certainly a bit more involved with my study. I also understand that Galkas and Mithras are races that are limiting in terms of sex choice but it would still be interesting to see why someone chose one or the other.

If you know anyone who may be interested in the study and will qualify, please pass on the information, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you very much!

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Looking for FFXI players for research study

I don't understand Psychology's obsession with (bending) gender roles, but whatever helps you to get your PhD is good, I guess. Aside from the "common language" factor (which could be both a plus and a minus), I can see FFXI being a decent choice since the players have the freedom to choose race with both genders and race without a gender, the later of which gives the players the perfect cover to pick the opposite of real-life gender--"Ah, but there's no choice; have to be male/female."

Good luck with your research.