JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Pervasive technologies are a popular approach to investigating various phenomena outside the laboratory, providing valuable insights into real-world human behavior and interaction with the environment. However, longitudinal experiments in the wild are still challenging - technologies struggle in difficult conditions, users can be unpredictable, and environments change. Prior research provides frameworks to mitigate the challenge but focuses on technical and contextual challenges. We highlight, in addition, the importance of managing stakeholders, their concerns and often contradictory expectations. Early identification and continuous engagement are vital, especially with those with an impact on the experiments. Combining prior research with our own field trial findings, we developed a framework and a mapping tool to manage challenges in technology-aided assessment of humans and environmental factors in natural settings, to help researchers and technology developers recognize and mitigate potential challenges, and to effectively engage with stakeholders.