Development of a Smartphone Application and Potential Demographics Variables Influencing Usage in Times of a Major Air Pollution Crisis.
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Abstract
Abstract
Background
Recent advancement in Internet based technologies have resulted in the growth of a sub-specialized field, termed as “Infodemiology” and “Infoveillance”. Previous research have only demonstrated the research potential of Web 2.0 medium in collation of data in crisis situation, but are limited as no previous evaluation of the usage of smartphone technologies have been conducted.
Aims
The objectives for the current study are to demonstrate the implementation of a smartphone based application for dissemination and collation of information during a crisis situation, as well as to highlight potential demographic variables that might predispose individuals to use a smartphone medium during a crisis.
Methods
The Haze Smartphone application was developed using an online application builder and using HTML5 as the core programming language. A five-phase developmental method including a) formulation of user requirements, b) system design, c) system development, d) system evaluation and finally e) system application and implementation were adopted. The smartphone application was deployed during a one week period via a self-sponsored Facebook post, featuring both a direct link to the smartphone web based application and to the questionnaire. Apart from the Facebook sponsored post, sampling for the questionnaire was also obtained via direct dissemination of the questionnaires by emails.
Results
A total of 298 respondents took part in the survey. Most were between the age of 20-29 and had University education. Demographics variables did not influence the modality of usage.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates how a smartphone application could potentially be used to acquire research data in a crisis situation, much similar to conventional Web 2.0 technologies. However, it is crucial for future research to further evaluate its effectiveness and to re-evaluate the potential demographics variables that affect usage in a crisis situation.
Background
Recent advancement in Internet based technologies have resulted in the growth of a sub-specialized field, termed as “Infodemiology” and “Infoveillance”. Previous research have only demonstrated the research potential of Web 2.0 medium in collation of data in crisis situation, but are limited as no previous evaluation of the usage of smartphone technologies have been conducted.
Aims
The objectives for the current study are to demonstrate the implementation of a smartphone based application for dissemination and collation of information during a crisis situation, as well as to highlight potential demographic variables that might predispose individuals to use a smartphone medium during a crisis.
Methods
The Haze Smartphone application was developed using an online application builder and using HTML5 as the core programming language. A five-phase developmental method including a) formulation of user requirements, b) system design, c) system development, d) system evaluation and finally e) system application and implementation were adopted. The smartphone application was deployed during a one week period via a self-sponsored Facebook post, featuring both a direct link to the smartphone web based application and to the questionnaire. Apart from the Facebook sponsored post, sampling for the questionnaire was also obtained via direct dissemination of the questionnaires by emails.
Results
A total of 298 respondents took part in the survey. Most were between the age of 20-29 and had University education. Demographics variables did not influence the modality of usage.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates how a smartphone application could potentially be used to acquire research data in a crisis situation, much similar to conventional Web 2.0 technologies. However, it is crucial for future research to further evaluate its effectiveness and to re-evaluate the potential demographics variables that affect usage in a crisis situation.
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