After getting the feedback from my experts, I realised I need more time in order to fully think through my intervention. Although I’m passionate about this project and have been reassured that it is achievable for me to develop a VR experience intervention and test it within the summer period, I also understand that I need to:
- choose one element of mindfulness to focus on, eg. breathing techniques.
- learn two completely new pieces of software (Unity and Arduino) to help me carry out my project
- have a comparison point to prove that a narrative VR meditation environment works better than a standard meditation environment (potentially contrasting 2 environments- VR vs non- VR)
- work with collaborators on the technical aspects of my project
- find a substantial sample size to help test my intervention over the summer period
- ensure that the validity of my project is backed up by existing academic evidence
For this reason I have chosen to reschedule my project timeline, in order to make it more feasible for me to manage my research and development:
New Proposed Timeline and Checklist:
(x) = completed
13/06/2021 – 23/07/2021
- Learn the basics of Unity and complete Modules 1 (x) and 2.
- Conduct a thorough investigation into VR companies and research facilities in the UK that offer a mindfulness-meditation service, interview at least 5-8 experts.
- Create SWOT analysis of top 5 VR mindfulness companies in the UK and identify gap in market.
- Get in touch with VR students (x) and create initial intervention plan.
- Get in touch with creative technology students and figure out whether a biometric- driven narrative experience is a bonus or unachieveable within proposed timescale.
- **URGENT – Check with the university whether the loan store is still open over the summer break, and also if campus and facilities are open all summer. (x – CSM Loan store NOT open over summer, follow up with Sion (x) and Annie and see if an alternative can be arranged. If not email Richard about potentially being able to test once term opens on 27th September)
24/07/2021 – 13/08/2021
- Develop intervention
- Complete Unit 1 Flight Check Submission (due 16/08)
- Book rooms and headsets at CSM for testing period of 3 weeks (5×3 days), try to get at least 5> headsets and testers booked for each day (ideally n=50> total)
- Get an RA to help with setting up each day.
- Figure out incentive for testers – amazon voucher? etc.
- Exposing intervention to external review – sending it to VR experts/stakeholders and taking their feedback on board.
16/08/2021 – /03/ 09/2021
- Testing of intervention and recording results
- Exposing intervention to external review – sending it to VR experts/stakeholders and taking their feedback on board.
- Comparing and reflecting on my research findings in accordance with existing secondary research.
06/09/2021 – /27/ 09/2021
- 07/09 Unit 2 Presentation
- Conclusions from my project are derived and evaluated into a report
- Feedback from stakeholders and experts leads to alternate considerations for informed research within the field.
- What If? part addressed
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