Title
Validation Of Games For Behavioral Change: Connecting The Playful And Serious
Abstract
The application of games for behavioral change has seen a surge in popularity but evidence on the efficacy of these games is contradictory. Anecdotal findings seem to confirm their motivational value whereas most quantitative findings from randomized controlled trials (RCT) are negative or difficult to interpret. One cause for the contradictory evidence could be that the standard RCT validation methods are not sensitive to serious games' effects. To be able to adapt validation methods to the properties of serious games we need a framework that can connect properties of serious game design to the factors that influence the quality of quantitative research outcomes. The Persuasive Game Design model [1] is particularly suitable for this aim as it encompasses the full circle from game design to behavioral change effects on the user. We therefore use this model to connect game design features, such as the gamification method and the intended transfer effect, to factors that determine the conclusion validity of an RCT. In this paper we will apply this model to develop guidelines for setting up validation methods for serious games. This way, we offer game designers and researchers handles on how to develop tailor-made validation methods.
Year
DOI
Venue
2015
10.17083/ijsg.v2i3.75
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SERIOUS GAMES
Keywords
Field
DocType
Persuasive game design, Serious games, RCT, Validation, Game Research
Game research,Validation methods,Simulation,Computer science,Popularity,Randomized controlled trial,Game design
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
2
3
2384-8766
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
2
0.37
0
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Katinka van der Kooij130.72
Evert Hoogendoorn230.72
Renske Spijkerman342.78
Valentijn Visch4105.69