Co-Creating New Mobile Devices for Groups During Field Trips: MIS-2 Study

Axup, Jeff and Viller, Stephen (2006) Co-Creating New Mobile Devices for Groups During Field Trips: MIS-2 Study. Technical Report No. 460, School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland.

Document type: Department Technical Report
Collection: School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Publications
Attached Files (Some files may be inaccessible until you login with your UQ eSpace credentials)
Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads
Mobile_Informati.pdf Mobile_Informati.pdf application/pdf 3.25MB 558

Author Axup, Jeff
Viller, Stephen
Title Co-Creating New Mobile Devices for Groups During Field Trips: MIS-2 Study
School, Department or Centre School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
Institution The University of Queensland
Report Number Technical Report No. 460
Publication date 2006-02-01
Subject 280302 Software Engineering
Abstract/Summary The second iteration of the Mobile Information Sharing studies (MIS-2) aimed to validate results from the previous study and to introduce mobile low-fidelity prototypes in a natural tourist activity. Seven foam prototypes with fictional functionality descriptions were carried and used by backpackers during the course of a tourist field trip. The trip consisted of walking through a city centre to a boat, taking a boat cruise, walking around an animal park and then taking the same journey back to their hostel. Backpackers added features and discussed these devices in a workshop. Variations to previous research methods included increased use of digital cameras and the use of three simultaneous observers for ethnographic observation. A repetition of the previous social pairing activity was conducted which explored different types of social ties with more participants. Study results include a rich understanding of travel conversation, in-situ effects of mobile device usage, and verification of research methods. Subgroups of participants within the study didn’t communicate much between each other and provided an interesting case of backpackers failing to connect even though they desired to. A field trip representing a typical tourist activity produced a number of situations where mobile device features were requested by participants. The social pairing activity produced some useful information for participants and provided design recommendations for social pairing systems. 11 design requirements for mobile travel devices were generated from observations and discussions with backpackers. Additional analysis produced 23 proposed product features. Recommendations have been made for improvements to the study design and methods for future mobile group research.
Keyword mobile information sharing
social network formation
mobile ethnography
low-fidelity prototyping
Additional Notes The contents of this technical report will shortly be published in several journal articles and conference publications.
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Access Statistics: 5198 Abstract Views, 558 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Tue, 21 Feb 2006, 10:00:00 EST by Jeff Axup  -  Detailed History