Implementing the Assessment Tool
1) Use 5 points for uni-polar scales and 7 points for bi-polar scales. Middle (neutral) response options help.
Cox, E. P. (1980). The optimal number of response alternatives for a scale: A review. Journal of Marketing Research, 17, 407-422.
Komorita, S. S., & Graham, W. K. (1965). Number of scale points and the reliability of scales. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 25, 897-995.
2) Fully label rating points. Extreme options help anchor scale. Use magnitude scaling studies to label options.
Bass, B. M., Cascio, W. F., & O'Connor, E. J. (1974). Magnitude estimations of expressions of frequency and amount. Journal of Applied Psychology, 59, 313-320.
Bendig, A. W. (1953). The reliability of self-ratings as a function of amount of verbal anchoring and of the number of categories on the scale. Journal of Applied Psychology, 37, 38-41.
Lichtenstein, S., & Newman, J. R. (1967). Empirical scaling of common verbal phrases associated with numerical probabilities. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 9, 563-564.
3) Use construct specific response options to combat acquiescence and vagueness of "strongly agree" - "strongly disagree" type options.
Couch, A., & Keniston, K. (1961). Agreeing response set and social desirability. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 62, 175-179.
Hitlin, R. (1976). On question wording and stability of response. Social Science Research, 5, 39-41.
McClendon, M. J. (1989). Acquiescence: A test of the cognitive limitations and question ambiguity hypotheses. Paper presented at the 1989 meetings of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, St. Petersburg, Florida.
====
How interested are you in the precise numbers and percentages underlying the game mechanics? (i.e, chance of dodging an attack, the math comparing dual-wield to two-handed weapons, etc.)
Not Interested At All
Slightly Interested
Somewhat Interested
Very Interested
Extremely Interested
How important is it to you that your character is as optimized as possible for their profession / role?
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
How often do you use a character builder or a template to plan out your character's advancement at an early level?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
Would you rather be grouped or soloing?
Much Rather Group
Rather Group
In-Between
Rather Solo
Much Rather Solo
How important is it to you that your character can solo well?
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
How much do you enjoy working with others in a group?
Not At All
A Little
Some
A Lot
A Great Deal
How much do you enjoy leading a group?
Not At All
A Little
Some
A Lot
A Great Deal
How often do you take charge of things when grouped?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
How important is it to you to be well-known in the game?
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
How much time do you spend customizing your character during character creation?
Not At All
A Little
Some
A Lot
A Great Deal
How important is it to you that your character's armor / outfit matches in color and style?
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
How important is it to you that your character looks different from other characters?
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Extremely Important
How much do you enjoy exploring the world just for the sake of exploring it?
Not At All
A Little
Some
A Lot
A Great Deal
How much do you enjoy finding quests, NPCs or locations that most people do not know about?
Not At All
A Little
Some
A Lot
A Great Deal
How much do you enjoy collecting distinctive objects or clothing that have no functional value in the game?
Not At All
A Little
Some
A Lot
A Great Deal
1) Leveling up your character as fast as possible.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
2) Acquiring rare items that most players will never have.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
3) Becoming powerful.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
4) Accumulating resources, items or money.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
5) Knowing as much about the game mechanics and rules as possible.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
6) Having a self-sufficient character.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
7) Being immersed in a fantasy world.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
8) Escaping from the real world.
Not Important At All
Slightly Important
Moderately Important
Very Important
Tremendously Important
1) Helping other players.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
2) Getting to know other players.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
3) Chatting with other players.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
4) Competing with other players.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
5) Dominating/killing other players.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
6) Exploring every map or zone in the world.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
7) Being part of a friendly, casual guild.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
8) Being part of a serious, raid/loot-oriented guild.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
9) Trying out new roles and personalities with your characters.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
10) Doing things that annoy other players.
Not Enjoyable At All
Slightly Enjoyable
Moderately Enjoyable
Very Enjoyable
Tremendously Enjoyable
1) How often do you find yourself having meaningful conversations with other players?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
2) How often do you talk to your online friends about your personal issues?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
3) How often have your online friends offered you support when you had a real life problem?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
4) How often do you make up stories and histories for your characters?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
5) How often do you role-play your character?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
6) How often do you play so you can avoid thinking about some of your real-life problems or worries?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
7) How often do you play to relax from the day's work?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always
8) How often do you purposefully try to provoke or irritate other players?
Never
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Always