Virtual Reality in Social Science: New Frontiers in Qualitative Research

Abstract

This paper examines the integration of virtual reality (VR) technologies in qualitative social science research. By creating immersive environments, VR offers researchers unprecedented opportunities to observe and interact with subjects in lifelike settings, potentially transforming ethnographic and participatory research methods. The study reviews existing literature on VR applications in the social sciences, highlights case studies where VR was successfully implemented, and discusses challenges related to ethics, accessibility, and data security. The findings suggest that VR can significantly enhance data richness and engagement levels but also necessitates new frameworks for ensuring ethical standards.