Involving Members of the Public to Develop a Data Collection App for a Citizen Science Project on Housing Accessibility Targeting Older Adults

Abstract

Background: While citizen science approaches are emerging within both social and health sciences, projects aimed at improving the living conditions of older adults remain rare. To enable forward-looking housing provision for the ageing population, valid and detailed information is needed on environmental barriers in the housing stock. Moreover, to promote active ageing and avoid involuntary moves to residential care facilities, there is a need for both increased public knowledge and raised awareness about accessible housing among older adults. Thus, Swedish senior citizens were engaged in a citizen science project-the Housing Experiment 2021-using a smartphone application to report environmental barriers in dwellings.Aim: This paper describes in detail the process by which varied members of the public participated to develop an application that assured reliable data collection of environmental barriers by older adults. Methods and Results:The scientific foundation for the app was the Housing Enabler. The development process comprised six iterative phases including participatory activities, namely, developing a citizen science version of the Housing Enabler; developing a print mock-up; developing an app prototype; testing and improving usability; beta version testing for reliability; final tests; and finishing touches.Discussion: Through an iterative development process involving researchers, professionals, and members of the public, a reliable app suitable for senior citizens was created. The results can serve as an inspiration for development protocols increasing the involvement of older adults in app development as well as for citizen science projects targeting older adults.

Characteristics and Attitudinal Changes of Senior Citizens and Persons with Functional Impairments Involved in a Citizen Science Project on Housing Accessibility

“…The low response rate applies not only to this study but also to involvement in the HX, where only 1,203 people took on the role of citizen scientists. This was despite extensive efforts to disseminate information on national television and radio, through seminars, and by word-ofmouth (Granbom et al 2023). A recent study (Frögren et al 2022) indicates that from the point of view of senior citizens, data collection activities are not as attractive as other types of user involvement in research.…”

“…Up-to-date data show that among people in Sweden born in the forties, as many as 38% state that they need help using digital technology, while the figure is considerably lower for younger adults (Swedish Internet Foundation 2022). Aware of this digital divide, during the app development process before the HX, great emphasis was placed on usability testing with representatives of the intended target groups (Granbom et al 2023). Pedagogical material was created in the form of detailed guides and an instructional video, available on the project website.…”

“…Thus, although in Sweden the use of mobile digital devices among senior citizens is high (Swedish Internet Foundation 2022), this study sheds light on challenges inherent in using smartphones and tablets for tasks that require a higher level of mobile digital literacy. Moreover, as indicated by experiences during the app development process, senior citizens do not always have smartphones with sufficient memory space to download additional apps (Granbom et al 2023); this imposes challenges that might relate to economic resources. Challenges related to the use of mobile digital devices are a fact and important to consider for future CS projects with senior citizens and persons with functional impairments as the main target groups.…”

“…While Public & Science, CASE, and MiThings led design and implementation, the national associations provided study input and spread information about the HX to their members. The aim of the HX was to engage people across the country to assess environmental barriers in the ordinary housing stock using a mobile app developed for this purpose (Granbom et al 2023). The mobile app was based on Housing Enabler, an instrument for valid and reliable assessment of housing accessibility (Iwarsson et al 2012).…”