Hyatt, E., Harvey, M., Pointon, M. et al. (1 more author) (2021) Whither wilderness? An investigation of technology use by long-distance backpackers. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 72 (6). pp. 683-698. ISSN 1532-2882
Abstract
The popular outdoor pursuit of backpacking is profoundly changing as the community embraces contemporary information technologies. However, there is little empirical evidence on the adoption and use of consumer electronics by backpackers, nor the implications this has for their habits, practices and interactions. We investigate long-distance backpackers' articulations with mobile information technology during the TGO Challenge, a coast-to-coast crossing of the Scottish Highlands. By employing mixed methods, we explore how and why backpackers use such technology when planning and undertaking their journeys via a survey (n=116), pre-and post-challenge interviews with selected TGO participants, and daily in-field video-logs. Our results suggest many advantages to using technology in this context, including fluidity of communications and access, while noting that reliance on technology is leading to issues such as battery power management and deskilling. The findings highlight implications for the juxtaposition between outdoor recreation, information behaviour, and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and suggest future work in this area.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Association for Information Science and Technology. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 04 Jan 2021 14:12 |
Last Modified: | 18 Dec 2021 01:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley / Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/asi.24437 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:168975 |