Constructing a Virtual World as a Research Tool: Lessons Learned from the First Iteration in the Development of Greenland

This paper draws from insights gained while constructing a virtual world named Greenland at Indiana University. The first section, examines the theoretical evidence supporting the use of virtual worlds as experimental research tools. The second, addresses a few of the practical concerns a researcher will encounter when attempting to construct a virtual world. And the final section, presents a hypothetical design for a virtual world, which could be used to gather empirical evidence regarding the management of a common-pool resource.