Road Map draft

by Hawke Robinson — published 2011/12/16 10:30:00 GMT-7, last modified 2022-11-12T09:27:14-07:00

I have had many conversations with folks about where this project is at, and where it is planned to go, and I have blogged a bit about the overall vision of the future, but now I need to write down the approximate road map of the next few stages that has been discussed with others but not written down until now...

Stage 0 (complete)

Overall research on what is needed to get started.
Acquire facilities
Create website
Create brochures/flyers
Create registration form
Create initial questionnaires

Stage 1 (now implementing)

Begin forming observational-only group(s) from those who submit registration forms.
Form group 1 (gamers, those who have participated in paper-and-dice RPGs before).
Form group 2 (non-gamers, those who have not participated in paper-and-dice RPGs).
Have those assigned to groups complete initial questionnaire (if they haven't already).
Contact all registrants to determine which times they are available for.
Match registrants demographics and schedules to form groups.
Once 4-6 participants fit the same schedule, begin weekly sessions
Each session (initially) will last 3 hours.
The first session participants will complete various questionnaires/tests to establish a baseline on IQ, mood, and other variables.
Participants will fill out questionnaires at the beginning and end of each session (different than the baseline).
These sessions will last 6 to 8 weeks, then participants will be re-evaluated on the last session.

Stage 2 (begins approximately 2 to 3 months from implementation of stage 1)

The data from completion of stage 1 will be analyzed.
Any useful information gleaned will be used to adjust future group sessions.
Other game masters with psychology/therapy backgrounds will be trained on running the sessions, assessment tests, weekly questionnaires, etc.
After several iterations of stage 1 and stage 2, eventually it is hoped that certain variables will become apparent for modification in the sessions.

Stage 3 (begins approximately 6 to 18 months after initial implementation of stage 2)

At some point bio and neuro monitoring equipment will be added to the process during sessions for some participants.
The game sessions will be audio and video taped, while the bio and neuro feedback data is monitored and correlated to the audio/video of the sessions.

Stage 4 (if data indicates viability, begins approximately 12 to 24 months after stage 2 implementation)

Based on accumulated data, efforts on creating specific modules for modification of specific variables will attempt to be developed and tested.

Stage 5 (if data indicates viability)

After extensive testing and experimental research, determine if appropriate to use these modules as educational and/or therapeutic modality.