We are conducting a research study investigating the relationship between online gaming and English language level. Through an online survey and audio recordings, we aim to understand how non-native English speakers use and develop their English language skills through gaming activities. Your participation will contribute to our understanding of informal language learning in digital environments.

You can download a PDF version of this page.

1. Title of the Project:

Video Games and English: L2 English fluency, comprehensibility, and intelligibility in the context of extramural game play in MMOGs

2. Objective of the Research:

This research aims to investigate the language skills of non-native English speakers who play online multiplayer games. Specifically, it examines their fluency, comprehensibility, and intelligibility in English, as well as their exposure to English and personal gaming habits.

3. Implications of Participation:

We are seeking adult participants aged 18 and above who are not native English speakers. The project consists of three participation phases:

1. Phase 1 (Current): Online survey and audio recordings
2. Phase 2 (Optional): In-game observation sessions
3. Phase 3 (Optional): Follow-up interviews

While Phase 1 is the current focus, you can indicate your interest in Phases 2 and 3 by providing your email address. Participation in later phases is entirely optional and can be declined even after expressing initial interest.

3.1 Audio Recordings and Survey

We will ask for basic information through a survey. We will ask participants to respond orally to a question in their native language and multiple questions in English. These questions will cover familiar topics and do not have right or wrong answers. This should take around 15 minutes.

4. Risks and Benefits:

There are no risks involved in participating. Our study does not aim to intervene in the use of video games, but rather to observe participants and their English oral level.

5. Compensation:

There is no compensation for participation in this study.

Participants who complete all audio questions and accept the terms and conditions will be entered into a drawing. The raffle has 10 prizes. To participate in the drawing, you must provide your email address and explicitly accept the terms and conditions of the raffle. Survey responses and audio data will remain completely anonymous, as email addresses are stored separately from research data.

5.1 Raffle Terms and Conditions

5.1.1 Drawing Organizer

The drawing is organized by Emma Caputo, Ph.D. student and member of the realTIC research group at the University of Barcelona, Faculty of Education.

5.1.2 Winner Selection

The random drawing will be conducted by the principal investigator using a computerized random number generator in the presence of one witness. Winners will be selected 15 days after the survey closure. The selection process will be documented internally for verification purposes.

5.1.3 Prizes and Distribution

Ten (10) prizes will be awarded:

• First Prize: Value of 50€ (one winner)
• Second Prizes: Value of 25€ (four winners)
• Third Prizes: Value of 20€ (five winners)

Winners can choose to receive their prize in one of the following forms:

• Money transfer
• Amazon gift card
• Steam gift card

For international winners outside of Spain choosing money transfer, the transfer method (Western Union, PayPal, or other service) will be selected based on availability and fees in the winner's location. The final amount received may vary depending on the transfer method used.

5.1.4 Winner Notification and Prize Delivery

Winners will be contacted exclusively via email. Two attempts will be made to contact each winner, with a 48-hour gap between attempts. Winners must respond within 15 days of the first notification to claim their prize and select their preferred prize format. After receiving the winner's response and preference, the prize will be delivered within 10 working days.

5.1.5 Privacy and Data Protection

Email addresses will be stored securely and separately from survey data. Winners' names will not be published on any platform. All email addresses will be permanently deleted once all prizes have been successfully delivered. Winners' payment or gift card delivery information will be used solely for prize delivery and then deleted.

5.1.6 Entry Verification

Entry into the raffle is only possible upon successful completion of the survey and audio recordings. Only one entry per email address is permitted; multiple entries from the same email address will result in automatic disqualification. The research team reserves the right to verify eligibility of winners before prize distribution.

5.1.7 Acceptance of Terms

Participation in the raffle implies full acceptance of these terms and conditions. The research group reserves the right to modify these terms or cancel the drawing at any time for justified reasons, without infringing upon participants' rights.

6. Confidentiality:

The identity of participants will be unknown. All data will be stored on a private server for this project, and all data will be pseudonymized.

Personal data refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. This includes any information that could be used to identify you.

Our website collects IP addresses automatically. This information will be automatically deleted after 30 days. However, you have the option to request earlier deletion. If you choose to provide your email address for future participation, it will be stored separately from your survey responses and audio recordings in a secure database.

Sensitive personal data refers to personal data that is considered particularly sensitive and requires additional protection. This includes audio recordings. We take the protection of sensitive personal data seriously and ensure that it is 100% anonymous, meaning we will be unable to identify any individual with this data.

The PhD student will be both the data controllers (GPDR art. 4.(4.7)) and the data processor (GPDR art. 4.(4.8)).

7. Voluntary Participation:

Participation in this study is completely voluntary. There is no penalty for not participating.

8. Right to Withdraw:

If you provide your email address for future participation, it will be stored separately from the rest of your data in order to maintain anonymity. You have the right to request the deletion of your email address at any time.

a) In accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned regulation, the UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA (with CIF Q0818001J and address at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585 - 08007 Barcelona) as the responsible party for the processing of personal data, informs you that you can contact the Data Protection Officer by written letter to the postal address (Travessera de les Corts, 131-159, Pavelló Rosa, 08028 – Barcelona), or by email to protecciodedades@ub.edu.

b) You have the right to access your data, request the correction of inaccurate data, and request its deletion, as well as limit the processing, oppose it, and withdraw your consent for certain purposes. You can exercise these rights by written letter to the postal address or by email to the address mentioned in the previous paragraph. Additionally, we inform you that you have the right to file a complaint with the Catalan Data Protection Agency in the event that you consider that the University of Barcelona has acted in a way that violates your rights. In any case, you will receive a written response to the action taken within the legally established timeframe.

c) The data will be kept for 5 years after the publication of the results to facilitate its accessibility and usefulness in the future. If the involved researchers wish to use the collected data, they must submit the project as an amendment to the CBUB for approval.