# A Metaverse Platform for Preserving and Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage
## 3 Results and Discussion
In terms of engagement, the participants' scores were combined to produce the final UES score, with the VR headset group obtaining a median value of 4.58, a minimum value of 3.42, and a maximum value of 4.92, while the smartphone group received a minimum value of 3, a maximum value of 4.68, and a median value of 3.83. The results indicate that the VR headset group had greater engagement levels than the smartphone group. The median UES score for the VR headset group is higher than that for the smartphone group, indicating that VR headset users were more engaged with the application than smartphone users. To validate the statistical significance of these differences, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was repeated to see whether the statistical significance was sufficient to conclude that there was a statistically significant difference in engagement levels between the two groups. We obtained a test statistic that is less than the critical value for a significance level of 5% (\(p\)-value = 0.048), indicating that there is a significant difference in the degree of engagement between the two groups, with the VR headset group showing a higher level of engagement with respect to the smartphone group. Users belonging to the VR headset group achieved higher engagement scores than those who used smartphones possibly due to the greater immersiveness offered by VR headsets, which provide a more immersive experience than smartphones, allowing users to feel more involved and engaged in the virtual environment compared to the relatively constrained interaction offered by smartphones Furthermore, we cannot exclude the novelty effect of VR technology, which means that some users may be unfamiliar with VR headsets, stimulating their interest and engagement during their first interactions with the app. Our findings are consistent with prior research. [PERSON] et al. [36], for example, performed similar analyses on their AR-based smart guide and found that, in terms of usability, the SUS results showed a significantly more favorable rating for their smartphone guide than their headset guide. This aligns with our findings, demonstrating that smartphones provide a more user-friendly interface for accessing cultural heritage information than VR headsets. In terms of engagement, some studies indicate a preference for systems with more interactivity and immersion capabilities, such as VR headsets. For example, research evaluating the same experience on different XR systems discovered that systems with more interactivity and immersion were preferred over others [37]. This result highlights the potential for VR headsets to create a more immersive and engaging experience while visiting cultural heritage sites. The preference for immersive experiences is also reflected in the finding that, although being more cumbersome than smartphones, VR headsets create \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c l c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Item**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Questionnaire Item**} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**VR Headset**} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Smartphone**} \\  & & **Min** & **Median** & **Max** & **Min** & **Median** & **Max** \\ \hline
1 & I lost myself in this experience. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
2 & The time I spent using this Application just slipped away. & 4 & 5 & 5 & 2 & 4 & 5 \\
3 & I was absorbed in this experience. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 1 & 3 & 4 \\
4* & I felt frustrated while using this Application. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 4 & 4 & 5 \\
5* & I found this Application confusing to use. & 3 & 4 & 4 & 4 & 4 & 4 \\
6* & Using this Application was taxing. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 4 & 4 & 5 \\
7 & This Application was attractive. & 4 & 5 & 5 & 4 & 4 & 5 \\
8 & This Application was aesthetically appealing. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\
9 & This Application appealed to my senses. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 2 & 3 & 4 \\
10 & Using this Application was worthwhile. & 4 & 5 & 5 & 4 & 5 & 5 \\
11 & My experience was rewarding. & 3 & 4 & 5 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\
12 & I felt interested in this experience. & 4 & 5 & 5 & 3 & 5 & 5 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}