Debriefing Research Games: Context, Substance and Method. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van den Hoogen, Jop; Lo, Julia; Meijer, Sebastiaan
• Other Names: Wolfe Joseph guest-editor.; Kriz Willy guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Simulation & gaming. Volume 47:Number 3(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 388
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: complex sociotechnical system -- debriefing -- event-structure analysis -- gaming simulation -- innovation -- railway system -- research game -- sensitivity -- validity; Social sciences -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Simulation methods -- Periodicals; Game theory -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Jeu de rôle -- Périodiques; Éducation; Jeu d'entreprise; Jeu de simulation; Méthode de simulation; Sciences sociales; Théorie des jeux; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 003.3
• DOI: 10.1177/1046878116651023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-8781

Abstract

Background .Debriefing is an intrinsic part of games for learning and properdebriefing can also be beneficial toresearch games . However, the literature on how to debrief research games is sparse and only provides the professional with an abstracttopic guide . Aim . The purpose of this study was to design aframework for thedebriefing ofresearch games that are used in ongoinginnovation processes. Method . We used the literature on debriefing and experimental research and our experience as game designers to build aframework that tackles thecontext, substance andmethod of debriefing research games. Results . Our framework provides three contributions. First, it shows how the context in which aresearch game is applied sometimes impacts the functionality of the game in negative ways. This can be helped by designing both the game and thedebriefing together. Second, we operationalizevalidity to a greater extent, as this is the core of a goodresearch game . Third, we provide amethodology for debriefing professionals that opens up the black box of thegaming simulation session. Conclusion . Thedebriefing framework provides amethod to collectively assess the validity, reliability and robustness of the causal claims associated with the research conducted.