​

What is this research project?

This project is being run by two sociology researchers, Dr Ryan Scoats (myself) and Dr Matt Coward-Gibbs, working at Birmingham City and York St. John’s Universities in the UK. We are currently conducting an interview-based study looking at players of solo, hobby tabletop games. This might include games that have a dedicated solo mode, games that players play ‘two-handed’, or tabletop games designed solely for one. In particular we are interested in players’ motivations and experiences around solo tabletop games. The purpose of this page is to inform you about the project so that you can decide whether you want to take part.​

​​

What will happen if I decide to take part?

If you agree to take part then we will arrange a time for you to have an online interview which would be recorded and transcribed for analysis. Your participation would be voluntary and confidential, no one except Ryan will know you’ve taken part. Any identifying information you give in your answers will be anonymised, and only interview transcripts that have been anonymised (removing any details that might reveal who you are) will be shared with the collaborating researcher (Dr Matt Coward-Gibbs). It is likely the interview would take between 30-60 minutes and they will be recorded and transcribed using Microsoft teams (at which point Ryan will check the transcript for accuracy and subsequently delete the original recording and transcript). The data will be stored securely on OneDrive. The data will then be used (with any of your information de-identified) to write up academic articles based on the research.

​

Who is eligible to take part?
You are invited to participate in this research if you have experience (either present or past) with solo hobby tabletop games, are at least 18 years old, have good enough English to take part in an interview, and consent to taking part in the research. Examples of solo tabletop games might include solo board games, tabletop games designed for solo, tabletop games that have been altered to make them solo-able, game books, solo RPGs etc. 

​​​

I'm interested in taking part, what next?

Please have a look at the full participant information document and consent form. You will need to read these documents, and consent to your responses being collected and used (anonymously) for academic research. If at this stage you feel like you would be happy to take part, or you have any questions, please get in contact.

​

Who Dr Ryan Scoats?​

Dr Scoats is a qualitative researcher and senior lecturer in sociology at Birmingham City University. His previous research has focused on gender, sexuality and subcultures. He has a number of years experience with solo games and his research on hobby board game culture can be ​accessed here and here

​

​