Tailoring methodological bricolage to investigate non-discretionary use of digital technology

Abstract

Digital technology appears to be an integral part of everyday life: At homes, workplaces, during leisure time; mediating interactions, demanding attention and engagement. In the age of cloud computing, social media, and ubiquitous mobile devices, it is easy to think that everyone appreciates its supposedly liberating effects. The question arises, whether it is possible to remain detached from what the digital technology has to offer, or is resistance futile? How do people cope with its unanticipated and sometimes involuntary use? The aim of the study was to create an engaged, first-hand, context dependent account of people's experiences with non-discretionary use of digital technology. In this scenario, people are required to change their everyday practices in order to accommodate use of digital devices. This paper aims to advocate benefits of methodological bricolage, where the researcher tailors tasks, tools, and approaches to understand the subject at hand. The investigation relied upon qualitative methods of data gathering, which enabled open and involved exploration, as well as interpretive methods to make sense of gathered information.