Realities of using self-administered smartphone surveys to solve sustainability challenges
To fill data gaps in human-environment systems, especially in difficult-to-access locations, novel tools are needed to collect (near) real-time data from diverse populations across the globe. Here we discuss the practicalities, constraints, and lessons learnt from six field studies using high spatial and temporal smartphone surveys in six different countries. We suggest that high spatiotemporal, self-administered smartphone surveys will produce novel insights into human behaviour, attitudes, and socio-economic characteristics that, when matched with high spatiotemporal resolution environmental data (e.g., from remote sensing), can be used to address sustainability challenges for global communities. Furthermore, we highlight the need for continuous refinement and improvement in future developments to enhance the efficacy of this methodology. By sharing the practical implications and constraints associated with smartphone surveys, this article contributes to the evolving landscape of data collection methods.
Authors
- Paul Hutchings
- Md. Ehsanul Haque Tamal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1331-0732)
- Alesia Dedaa Ofori (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0912-067X)
- Alison Parker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7370-6758)
- Joy Riungu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1408-444X)
- Caroline Karani
- Simon Willcock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9534-9114)
- Dani Barrington (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1486-9247)
- Amy R. Lewis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5682-4541)
- Andrew Reid Bell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1164-312X)
- Kory C. Russel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0496-0856)
- Nou Keosothea
- Mmeli Dube (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2464-1115)
- J.M. Fernández Sánchez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1234-1430)
- Fiona Anciano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8613-1452)
- Arturo Llaxacondor
- Beata Kupiec-Teahan
- Anna L. Mdee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8260-1840)
- Ana Casas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4394-375X)
- Hellen López
Institutions
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Bangor University (GB)
- Murdoch University (AU)
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- University of Oregon (US)
- Cornell University (US)
- Rothamsted Research (GB)
- Meru University of Science and Technology (KE)
- Prek Leap National College of Agriculture (KH)
- Forum Solidaridad Perú (PE)
- Institute of Peruvian Studies (PE)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PE)
- Cranfield University (GB)
- University of the Western Cape (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
- Published
- 2025-07-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05305-w
- Primary Topic
- Human Mobility and Location-Based Analysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- United States Agency for International Development
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers
- Economic and Social Research Council