Development of a New Cross-Media Presence Questionnaire: The ITC-Sense of Presence Inventory

Abstract

Summary • Previous studies have attempted to measure presence using simple post-test rating scales (e.g., Slater, Usoh & Steed, 1994; Barfield & Hendrix, 1996). • The stability of simple post-test ratings has been questioned (Freeman Avons, Pearson & IJsselsteijn, 1999). • More detailed, carefully piloted and psychometrically-sound questionnaires offer a solution to potential instabilities in simple post-test ratings. This approach has been adopted by Schubert, Friedmann and Regenbrecht (1999), Witmer and Singer (1998), and Kim and Biocca (1997). • These attempts have limitations, such as restricted media applications. • We present research documenting the development of a new cross-media presence questionnaire - the ITC-Sense of Presence Inventory (ITC-SOPI). • Preliminary results indicate four components: Physical Space, Engagement, Naturalness and Negative Effects. 1 Introduction Until recently, the subjective state of presence has been measured using between one and three simple post-test rating scales that require judgements comparing either: (i) the mediated experience to real life (Hendrix & Barfield, 1996; Slater & Usoh, 1994; Slater, Usoh & Steed, 1994), or (ii) one mediated environment to another (e.g., Welch, Blackmon, Liu, Mellers & Stark, 1996). Typically, the rating scales have been comprised of statements relating to the extent to which an individual: (i) feels physically located in a given mediated space, (ii) senses that a mediated environment becomes more real, or present, compared to the real [