Analysis of Virtual Museums in Terms of Design and Perception of Presence

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to examine and analyze virtual museums in accordance with design and perception of social presence. In this context, virtual museums that offer free access internationally were identified and accepted as documents. Document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. Each of the virtual museums examined was subjected to content analysis and divided into groups according to the characteristics they have and do not have. The sample of the study consists of 352 virtual museums. "The Virtual Museum Review Form " created by the researchers was used in order to examine the determined virtual museums. Within the scope of the study, virtual museums were analyzed under seven categories, such that type of artwork, transfer to virtual environment, presentation, transition, navigation, guidance and virtual reality support. Virtual museums are divided into eight categories according to the type of work (culture-art, history, composite, military, archeology, science/technology, industrial and natural museum). It has been determined that most of the virtual museums examined are transferred to the virtual environment as an exact copy of the museums existing in real life. Virtual museums are divided into three as 2D/3D object, pop-up and link, according to the type of information they present to their visitors. Most of the virtual museums examined offer semi-flexible, flexible or non-flexible guidance services to their visitors. As a result of the study, it is suggested that the examined virtual museums be classified under 3 sub-headings as "type of artwork ", "type of transfer to virtual environment ", and "type of presentation " according to their designs and under 4 sub-headings as "type of transition ", "type of navigation ", "guidance ", and "virtual reality support " according to their social presence perceptions.