Short answer

Designers must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and actively seek to understand and integrate the needs and perspectives of diverse user groups throughout the VR design and development process.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: arXiv (Cornell University) (2023)
Method: Scoping Review
Evidence: Moderate effect

Existing virtual reality research has not adequately addressed the concept of inclusion, which encompasses the active involvement of diverse user groups in the entire lifecycle of VR technology. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in arXiv (Cornell University). Using Scoping review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and actively seek to understand and integrate the needs and perspectives of diverse user groups throughout the VR design and development process.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentModerate effect

Virtual Reality Inclusion: A Scoping Review Reveals Critical Gaps in Design and Adoption

Existing virtual reality research has not adequately addressed the concept of inclusion, which encompasses the active involvement of diverse user groups in the entire lifecycle of VR technology.

arXiv (Cornell University) · 2023

Key Findings

01The concept of inclusion in VR is underdeveloped in current research.
02Key target groups for inclusion studies include individuals with disabilities, varying genders, and different age groups.
03Community-based design, particularly with Indigenous communities, represents an important avenue for inclusive VR.
04Generic and group-specific barriers to VR inclusion have been identified.
05Significant research gaps exist across all identified categories.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing VR experiences, conduct user research with a broad range of potential users, including those with disabilities, different age groups, and from various cultural backgrounds. Consider co-design workshops and participatory design methods.

Project actions

01When designing a VR experience, think about who might be excluded and how you can make it more inclusive.
02Consider researching the specific needs of different user groups (e.g., people with visual impairments, older adults) for your VR project.

Method & Evidence

AimTo systematically review and categorize existing research on inclusion in virtual reality to identify barriers, research gaps, and future directions for inclusive VR development.

MethodScoping Review

ProcedureThe researchers conducted a comprehensive search of virtual reality literature, categorizing studies based on target user groups (ability, gender, age) and community-based design approaches, with a specific focus on Indigenous Peoples. They also reviewed literature on user modeling in technology adoption and design.

ContextVirtual Reality Technology Development and Application

Variables

IV["User group (ability, gender, age, cultural background)","Inclusion strategies in VR design and development"]

DV["Level of user involvement in VR design","Barriers to VR adoption and use","Research gaps in VR inclusion"]

CV["Type of VR technology being studied","Methodology of the reviewed research papers"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a broad overview of the existing literature on VR inclusion.
+Categorizes research by specific user groups, offering structured insights.

Limitations

It can be challenging to recruit a truly representative sample of diverse users for testing, and the specific needs of every group may not be fully understood.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of a scoping review depends on the comprehensiveness of the search strategy and the consistency of the categorization process. Validity is enhanced by the systematic approach to identifying and synthesizing relevant literature.

Think critically

Given the identified research gaps, what are the most pressing ethical considerations for designers working on VR technologies today?

Design Principles

"Design for inclusion by actively engaging diverse user groups throughout the entire product lifecycle."

Understanding and addressing inclusion in VR design is crucial for ensuring equitable access and meaningful engagement for all users. Neglecting this aspect can lead to technologies that inadvertently exclude or marginalize specific demographics, limiting their potential impact and adoption.

What This Means for Your Design

This study looked at how much research has been done on making virtual reality (VR) welcoming and usable for everyone. It found that not enough research focuses on including people with different abilities, genders, ages, or cultural backgrounds in VR design and use.

How to use in your project

1.Cite this review when discussing the importance of user diversity and the need for inclusive design in your VR project's background or justification.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This scoping review highlights a significant gap in virtual reality research concerning user inclusion, indicating that the active involvement of diverse groups in VR technology's adoption, use, design, and development is not adequately studied. This underscores the critical need for designers to proactively address potential barriers and ensure equitable access and meaningful engagement for all potential users in their design projects.

Source

arXiv (Cornell University)

Inclusion in Virtual Reality Technology: A Scoping Review

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about virtual reality inclusion: a scoping review reveals critical gaps in design and adoption?: Designers must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and actively seek to understand and integrate the needs and perspectives of diverse user groups throughout the VR design and development process. Evidence: arXiv (Cornell University) (2023).
Why does "Virtual Reality Inclusion: A Scoping Review Reveals Critical Gaps in Design and Adoption" matter for design?: Understanding and addressing inclusion in VR design is crucial for ensuring equitable access and meaningful engagement for all users. Neglecting this aspect can lead to technologies that inadvertently exclude or marginalize specific demographics, limiting their potential impact and adoption.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and actively seek to understand and integrate the needs and perspectives of diverse user groups throughout the VR design and development process.
What were the main findings?: The concept of inclusion in VR is underdeveloped in current research.. Key target groups for inclusion studies include individuals with disabilities, varying genders, and different age groups.. Community-based design, particularly with Indigenous communities, represents an important avenue for inclusive VR.. Generic and group-specific barriers to VR inclusion have been identified.
What research method was used?: Scoping Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from arXiv (Cornell University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing VR experiences, conduct user research with a broad range of potential users, including those with disabilities, different age groups, and from various cultural backgrounds. Consider co-design workshops and participatory design methods.
What are the limitations?: The review may be limited by the scope of the search terms and databases used, and the rapid evolution of VR technology means new inclusion challenges may emerge.