Researching mobile practices: participant reflection and audio-recording in Repeat Question Diaries

Abstract

The Repeat Question Diary method involves research participants audio-recording many answers to a single question. This article investigates some of the features of the method that are relevant to the study of mobile practices. Particularly, the method encourages participant reflection and the paper argues that this can facilitate the study of mobile practices through enabling participants to notice and analyse previously taken-for-granted, pre-conscious, or corporeal aspects of their practices. The paper also explores the use of audio-recording in diary research and argues that audio-diaries can facilitate participant expression, particularly of emotions, and can avoid the stifling effects of self-editing in written diaries.