Diary studies

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Diary studies is a research method that collects qualitative information by having participants record entries in a log or diary about the activity or experience being studied. This collection of data uses a longitudinal technique, meaning that it is reported by the participants over a period of time ranging from some days to more a few months, meaning that it studies the same variables over a period of time. This research tool, although not being able to provide results as detailed as a true field study, it can still offer a vast amount of contextual information without the costs of a true field study. Diary studies are also known as experience sampling or ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology.

There are two types of diary studies:

1. Elicitation studies, where participants capture media that are then used as prompts for discussion in interviews. The method is a way to trigger the participant's memory.
2. Feedback studies, where participants answer predefined questions about events. This is a way of getting immediate answers from the participants.

Video Diary studies

History

An early example of a diary study was "How Workingmen Spend Their Time" (Bevans, 1913) which went unpublished by George Esdras Bevans.

Maps Diary studies

Background

Diary studies originate from the fields of psychology and anthropology. In the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), diary studies have been adopted as one method of learning about user needs towards designing more appropriate technologies.

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Advantages

Advantages of diary studies are numerous. They allow:

• collecting longitudinal and temporal information;
• reporting events and experiences in context;
• determining the antecedents, correlations, and consequences of daily experiences.

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Limitations

Diary studies might generate inaccurate recall, especially if using the elicitation type of diary studies, because of the use of memory triggers (e.g. taking a photo and writing about it later). There is low control, low participation and there is a risk of disturbing the action. In feedback studies, there is also low control, and it can be troubling and disturbing to write everything down.

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Tools

PACO is an open source mobile platform for behavioral science.

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See also

• Diary studies in TESOL
• Event sampling methodology
• Qualitative research

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References

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Further reading

• Broom, A, Kirby, E, Adams, J, Refshuage, K (2015). "On illegitimacy, suffering and recognition: A diary study of women living with chronic pain". Sociology. 49 (4): 712-731. 
• Broom, A, Meurk, C, Adams, J, Sibbritt & D (2014). "Networks of knowledge or just old wives' tales? A diary-based analysis of women's self-care practices and everyday lay expertise". Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. 18 (4): 335-351. doi:10.1177/1363459313497610. PMID 23986374. 

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External links

• Open Source PACO Personal Analytics Companion
• Github of Open Source PACO Personal Analytics Companion
• Diary study guide
• The dos and donts of diary studies
• Diary studies in HCI psychology slides

Source of the article : Wikipedia