Theorizing Digital Cultures

GAME: Call of Duty 4

• Think of a research question – what do you want to know?

Does Call of Duty 4, a violent first person shooter that simulates modern warfare, normalize violence for its players?

• What theory would you use?/What theory does your research question stem from Why?

I will be using cultivation theory to examine my question. Cultivation theory, first proposed by George Gerbner, is the idea that over time, a constant barrage of media images serves to normalize such behaviours in the media.

• What kind of research would you conduct to answer your research question?

Ideas for research could include:

1. The use of quantitative qualitative analysis: discussion with players before, during and after they play
   
2. Observation of participants: Picking up on their reactions to violence
3. Series of surveys and/or interviews with players
4. Focus group discussions with players about violence in the game
   

• What limitations are there to your research approach?

It is, in reality, impossible to accurately determine bias amongst participants, or whether they are being truthful. With quantitative qualitative analysis, the data you collect is only as good/valid as your research participants wish--In many ways, you are at the mercy of them. Qualitative Quantitative analysis is good for objectivity, but I struggle to think of a useful application for it in this context.

• What are some of the weaknesses of the theory that you’re using?

Cultivation theory was originally developed by Gerbner for explaining individual's interpretations of television. For the most part, it assumes that the audience plays a passive role in the construction of meaning within media texts; Video games are certainly the most active participatory form of media we have today, so it is questionable whether the theory will fit perfectly with my research.