Hiker on trail: Information practices in the wild. A mixed methods approach to investigate real-time mobile technology use by long-distance backpackers

Innocenti, Perla, Hyatt, Edward and Harvey, Morgan (2022) Hiker on trail: Information practices in the wild. A mixed methods approach to investigate real-time mobile technology use by long-distance backpackers. Library & Information Science Research, 44 (4). p. 101200. ISSN 0740-8188

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101200

Abstract

Long distance hikers' information practices are considered via an ‘in-field’ methodology that generated rich experiential data. Participants documented and reflected on their experiences and use of mobile digital technology while undertaking a two-week coast-to-coast walk across the Scottish Highlands. Empirical evidence on the adoption and use of mobile digital technology by backpackers, and the implications this has for their practices and interactions is scarce. “Research in the Wild” (RITW) mixed methods facilitated exploration of how and why mobile digital technology is employed via analysis of in-field video-logs, interviews with eight participants, and a survey. Analysis of the research interview data provides insights into fieldwork participants' reactions to, and experiences with, the methods employed. The affordances and issues of the approach are discussed, highlighting the benefits and challenges of mixed methods for Human Computer Interaction and Information Behavior research in the arena of outdoor recreation.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding Information: We are grateful to Dave Kirk (OpenLab, University of Newcastle) and Shaun Lawson (NorSC, University of Northumbria) for supporting this research. We would like to extend a special thanks to those surveyed for sharing their experiences, and to our TGO 2019 participants for gathering the research data that has provided our study's key insights on their backpacking journey through the Scottish mountains.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Long distance hiking, Backpacking, Mixed methods, In-context research, Research In The Wild (RITW), Information Behavior, Information practices, Ubiquitous consumer electronics, Human Computer Interaction, Scottish Highlands, Outdoor recreation, The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGO)
Subjects: G500 Information Systems
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Computer and Information Sciences
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2022 13:06
Last Modified: 11 Jan 2023 12:30
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/50468

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