Realities of using self-administered smartphone surveys to solve sustainability challenges

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Lewis, A. R., Willcock, S., Casas, A., Kupiec-Teahan, B., Sanchez, J. M., Anciano, F., Barrington, D. J., Dube, M., Hutchings, P., Karani, C., Llaxacondor, A., Lopez, H., Mdee, A. L., Nou, K., Ofori, A. D., Riungu, J. N., Russel, K. C., Tamal, M. E. H., Parker, A. H. and Bell, A. R. 2025. Realities of using self-administered smartphone surveys to solve sustainability challenges. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 12, p. 1134. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05305-w

AuthorsLewis, A. R., Willcock, S., Casas, A., Kupiec-Teahan, B., Sanchez, J. M., Anciano, F., Barrington, D. J., Dube, M., Hutchings, P., Karani, C., Llaxacondor, A., Lopez, H., Mdee, A. L., Nou, K., Ofori, A. D., Riungu, J. N., Russel, K. C., Tamal, M. E. H., Parker, A. H. and Bell, A. R.
Abstract

To fill data gaps in human-environment systems, especially in difficult to access locations, novel tools are needed to collect (near) real time data from diverse populations across the globe. Here we discuss the practicalities, constraints and lessons learnt from six field studies using high spatial and temporal smartphone surveys in six different countries. We suggest that high spatiotemporal, self-administered smartphone surveys will produce novel insights into human behaviour, attitudes and socio-economic characteristics that, when matched with high spatiotemporal resolution environmental data (e.g. from remote sensing), can be used to address sustainability challenges for global communities. Furthermore, we highlight the need for continuous refinement and improvement in future developments to enhance the efficacy of this methodology. By sharing the practical implications and constraints associated with smartphone surveys, this article contributes to the evolving landscape of data collection methods.

KeywordsSmartphone; Survey
Year of Publication2025
JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications
Journal citation12, p. 1134
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05305-w
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderEconomic and Social Research Council
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeScaling up Off-Grid Sanitation
MobilES - Using mobile-phone technology to capture ecosystem service information
Publisher's version
Copyright license
CC BY
Accepted author manuscript
Supplemental file
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online19 Jul 2025
Publication process dates
Accepted10 Jun 2025
PublisherNature Publishing Group
ISSN2662-9992

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