Imaginary studies: a science fiction autoethnography concerning the design, implementation and evaluation of a fictional quantitative study to evaluate the Umamimi robotic horse ears

Abstract

In this paper, I use 'science fiction autoethnography’ to reflect on conducting an imaginary, quantitative study. My fictional study is intended to evaluate a real-life artefact: the ’umamimi’ robotic horse ears. This physical device provides a backdrop, against which my experiences and self-reflections are used to critique quantitative ’hard science’. My own cognitive bias, rigid attachment to a viewpoint and presumptions (concerning anticipated results) all provide the real story. When I conduct an imaginary study, what does the process and its speculative results say about my autobiographical story and both the object and subject’s broader societal and cultural meanings?