  We investigate the opportunities and challenges of running virtual reality
(VR) studies remotely. Today, many consumers own head-mounted displays (HMDs),
allowing them to participate in scientific studies from their homes using their
own equipment. Researchers can benefit from this approach by being able to
reach a more diverse study population and to conduct research at times when it
is difficult to get people into the lab (cf. the COVID pandemic). We first
conducted an online survey (N=227), assessing HMD owners' demographics, their
VR setups, and their attitudes towards remote participation. We then identified
different approaches to running remote studies and conducted two case studies
for an in-depth understanding. We synthesize our findings into a framework for
remote VR studies, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different
approaches, and derive best practices. Our work is valuable for HCI researchers
conducting VR studies outside labs.
