3. Research Questions What types of avatars do adolescents use in graphical chat spaces? How is gender represented in these avatars?
4. Methodology – General Chat Room The chat site chosen consists of 180+ chatrooms. 24 chatrooms designated for General Chat and populated by adolescents. Each room had a capacity of 30 participants. The total General Chat participation regularly exceeds 200 participants.
5. Methodology – Chatroom Selection Five General Chatrooms were selected for this study based on: The consistent use of avatars. Regularity of five or more participants around the clock.
6. Methodology – Data Collection The day was divided into 4 time blocks. Data was collected in 1 hour increments. 2 hours of data was collected in each time block. Individual avatars were collected and saved for analysis.
7. Methodology - Analysis Content Analysis. Coding scheme was developed during an earlier pilot study.
8. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Two sets of forced choice (exclusive) selections were made to: Humanoid/other pictured in the avatar: Humanoid - female, male, female(s) and male(s), and unknown gender, or Other - non-human, and graphical.
9. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Advertising Angels, pixies, etc Animated Avatar is drawing Avatar is photo Baggy clothing Celebrities, musicians, actors, etc Combination construction Compound construction
10. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Coy gaze Drug, smoking, alcohol Exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics Eyes obscured Figures in action Gore and/or blood Guns, swords, spears, armor, etc Humanoid group (3 or more) Membership or group tags
12. Findings - General 1296 unique nicknames. 28.2% (n=365) of the nicknames used avatars. 312 unique avatars were collected. Moderators were removed from the analysis as they must be 21.
24. Findings – Male Avatars Figures in action & superheroes, vampires, supernatural figures & animated. 40.0% (n=40).
25. Findings – Male Avatars Guns, swords, spears, armor, etc & gore & drug, smoking, alcohol. 38.0% (n=38).
26. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 75.0%% (n=6).
27. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Baggy clothing. Coy gaze. Eyes obscured. 37.5% (n=3).
28. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Nudity & revealing clothing. 50.0%% (n=4).