Tutorial on Matching-based Causal Analysis of Human Behaviors Using Smartphone Sensor Data

Abstract

Smartphones can unobtrusively capture human behavior and contextual data such as user interaction and mobility. Thus far, smartphone sensor data have primarily been used to gain behavioral insights through correlation analysis. This article provides a tutorial on the causal analysis of human behavior using smartphone sensor data by reviewing well-known matching methods. The key steps of the causal inference pipeline employing matching methods are illustrated using a concrete scenario involving the identification of a causal relationship between phone usage and physical activity. Several practical considerations for conducting causal inferences about human behaviors using smartphone sensor data are also discussed.