Paradigm changing metaverse: Future research directions in design, technology adoption and use, and impacts

Abstract

Rooted in the paradigm changes that accompany the metaverse, this essay proposes research directions covering three major and interconnected aspects of the metaverse ecosystem. First, I propose five research directions connected to the design of technological solutions for the metaverse. Second, I propose five research directions tied to the study of the impact of the adoption and use of these developed technological solutions. Third, I propose the five research directions that relate to understanding the impacts of the so-developed and so-adopted technological solutions. Finally, I propose five overarching research directions that cut across the design-adoption-impacts framework. Taken together, these directions provide holistic guidance for the investigation of the metaverse ecosystem and its short-, medium-, and long-term implications for research.