Experiences in Collecting 360° Video Data and Collaborating Remotely in Virtual Reality

Abstract

This paper reports on a pilot project called Remote Research and Collaboration Using VR and 360° Video (RReCo) that was carried out in late Spring 2021 at the University of Oulu, Finland. The project explored new ways of collecting, viewing and analysing video data for the purposes of engaging in remote, collaborative research on social interaction and activity. Here we share our experiences in collecting different types of video data, especially 360°, and relate those to our user experiences in analysing the data together in virtual reality. Our remote multisite data sessions were organised using software for immersive qualitative analytics, virtual reality and live streaming. In this paper, we also reflect on the similarities and differences between our data sets, especially with view to how awareness of different technical setups may help in making informed choices, and thereby increase the reliability of research on social interaction.