earticle

영어

This study aims to develop a measurement scale that empirically assesses ethical judgments and behavioral principles required in metaverse environments. As a space characterized by blurred boundaries between reality and virtuality, anonymity, and immersive interaction, the metaverse necessitates distinct practical ethical standards, differing from conventional digital ethics. To this end, the study employed literature review, in-depth interviews, focus group interviews (FGIs), and Delphi techniques to develop items reflecting the fundamental provisions of practical ethics. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to ensure the scale’s validity and structural soundness. The analysis identified five core factors constituting practical ethics in the metaverse: subjectivity, inclusivity, fairness, privacy protection, and autonomy. These factors correspond respectively to key ethical behavioral elements: internal motivation (Factor 1), social expectation (Factor 2), role responsibility (Factor 3), self-regulation (Factor 4), and personal autonomy (Factor 5). The structure of these factors aligns with various theoretical foundations, including practical ethics theory, self-determination theory, and the theory of subjective norms, and is specifically designed to capture the unique interactivity and ethical scenarios within the metaverse. The developed scale is expected to serve as a foundational tool for quantifying ethical standards in metaverse user education, digital citizenship programs, policy design, and technological implementation. It also holds potential for contributing to ethical research across diverse sociocultural contexts in the future.