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Published May 5, 2022 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Smartphone Disengagement - Autoethnography fieldnotes, classification & interpretation

  • 1. Université Paris Cité

Description

This dataset contains 267 data points (timestamp and intensity/duration of perceived events) with alternative classification and subclassification fields, as well as 112 fieldnotes and 112 related retrospective interpretation notes (with corresponding references where needed) from a focused autoethnography intervention, tracking the authors' experience of living without constant access to a smartphone for a month (May 2021).

Initial categories (May 2021): Positive - Negative - Reflection

Retrospective categories and subcategories (November 2021):

  1. Response to habit:  
    • Basic impulse: looking for smartphone in pocket  / “If I had it now…”
    • Abstinence reaction: attempts to reconnect to “the cloud”
    • Fear of missing out (FOMO) after long periods of time
    • Disruption in basic routine: perception of altered habits
  2. Social context:
    • Feelings of embarrassment: in relation to others due to feature phone
    • Observing others: people using smartphones around me
    • Meta level: how to share process afterwards (in community, academically)
  3. User experience (UX) practicalities:
    • Moving around solo: orientation when commuting without GPS
    • Parasitic use of other smartphones (in case of urgent need) 
    • Capturing things on the spot (pictures, information, feelings)
    • Local stored culture (music and reading away from screens)
    • Communication problems: dysfunctions in everyday coordination
    • Reconnection need: whenever ending up using the smartphone again
  4. Self-reinforcing / awareness:
    • Succeeding in intended detox: satisfaction for achievement 
    • Full attention to moment / stimulus: mindfulness and concentration
    • Relevant changes in routine: positive reinforcement by new habit

Notes

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