The feasibility and acceptability of using mobile methods for capturing and analysing data about dog-walking and human health

ML Roberts Prize Winner

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Mobile Methods to capture and analyse data relating to a test research question: “How does dog-walking influence health and well-being?” in healthy dog walkers. Eleven self-reported healthy adults from the Otago region of New Zealand were interviewed twice between 18/3/13 and 12/6/13. One of the interviews took place during their regular dog-walk. In Design One a walk-along interview was followed by a participatory analysis session and in Design Two a sit-down interview was followed by a walk-along interview. Qualitative analysis of the feasibility and acceptability of Mobile Methods was guided by a general inductive thematic approach. Four themes were identified: 1) Walk-along interviews are dynamic in nature; 2) Walk-along interviews generate enriched data; 3) Sharing ideas; and 4) Logistical challenges of walk-along interviews. Memory triggers, human-dog interactions, and environmental connections provided enriched qualitative data in Design One. For future dog-walking research we recommend using familiar route(s), during daylight hours, with data recorded by headmounted video cameras and supplemented with field notes.