ABSTRACT
Virtual world analysis is an umbrella term that is used to describe the various methods and techniques that are used to investigate human action, interaction, relationships and behaviour in computer-based simulated environments. There are various virtual worlds or environments that can be analysed by researchers. Collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) used for collaboration between many members, often over large distances, to share experiences and generate ideas. These environments can be digital or a mixture of the virtual and real world. CVEs provide the opportunity for analyses from a wide variety of disciplines, including sports science, behavioural science, market research, health and medicine and management and organisation studies, for example. Massive multi-player online that enable a large number of players to participate simultaneously and communicate with each other in a shared world. These provide the opportunity for analyses from various disciplines and field of study, including demography, the social and behavioural sciences, gaming and communication studies.
