Qualitative interpretive mobile ethnography

Abstract

A growing number of studies use mobile ethnography and mobile devices to collect data, yet studies reveal a lack of coherent definition and inconsistencies in validity criteria. We draw on relevant literature from tourism, health and retail, and connect research designs utilizing mobile ethnographic methods. We show how these existing studies capture mobilities and social phenomena in boundaryless dynamic settings, allowing researchers to co-create knowledge with their participants. As a result, we offer a framework for mobile ethnography, consisting of four explanatory dimensions: the role of the researcher; focus of research; data collection and tools; and data analysis. Our methodological contribution specifies validity criteria and derives concrete implications for research practices in qualitative interpretive mobile ethnography

Doing interprofessional research in the COVID-19 era: a discussion paper

“…Mobile ethnography involving participant-led data collection via photographs or video also offers a means of adapting traditional ethnographic studies (Murthy, 2008). Muskat et al (2018) have reviewed mobile ethnography literature and developed a framework to support researchers considering this approach. Photovoice offers a potential data collection method for more visually oriented ethnographies, with Sutton-Brown (2014) providing detailed guidelines on how to conduct such research.…”

My Home Quarantine on an App: A Qualitative Visual Analysis of Changes in Family Routines During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile

“…Physical and social distancing implies that researchers must devise alternative strategies for building trust and creating rapport in the absence of faceto-face personal interaction. These techniques often involve using digital and mobile technologies and interacting with participants in physical-digital environments (Tremblay et al 2021), all of which demand specific methodological and technological adaptations (Muskat et al 2018). From the participants' point of view, economic hardship, mental distress, and other physical and health conditions can affect their willingness to actively engage in research (Faircloth et al 2020).…”

Introduction: advances in marketing research methods

“…For example, increased smartphone usage has led to the emergence of a new research method known as mobile ethnography. Unlike traditional ethnographic research, which involves face-to-face data collection, mobile ethnography employs technology-based devices, such as smartphones (Muskat et al, 2018;Rebernik et al, 2020;Stickdorn et al, 2014). In Chapter 11, Birgit Bosio, Katharina Rainer, and Marc Stickdorn present mobile ethnography as an emerging research approach that integrates customers as active researchers with mobile devices.…”