Mobile methods: Explorations, innovations, and reflections

Abstract

In this introduction, we define mobile methods as the means by which mobile communication technology is used to study the social world. We identify and describe three themes of mobile methods. First, they are field-based research, which enables the researcher to go into the world of their participants, enhancing ecological validity. Second, mobile methods engage in controlled complexity regarding the data they collect. Often complex and very large datasets are created through mobile methods and researchers must thoughtfully decide how best to analyze such data. Third, these methods raise important ethical considerations. Researchers employing mobile methods may collect a variety of personal or sensitive information and must be vigilant regarding informed consent and data management procedures. Lastly, we summarize the seven articles in this Special Issue.