Abstract
This presentation reports on research that investigated the information literacy practices of students who identify as LGBTQ+, who track aspects of diet and fitness using apps and devices. This study builds on previous published research into IL and self-tracking, shared at the LILAC conference (McKinney et al. 2019; 2020).
Self tracking has moved from a niche, minority activity, to an everyday information activity for a significant proportion of the population. People who self-track for wellbeing feel a sense of empowerment, and it can support disease management and achievement of health goals (Lupton 2016, Lunde et al. 2018). People who identify as LGBTQ+ can face specific challenges to their physical and mental wellbeing, and therefore have distinctive IL practices regarding self-tracking. This research aims to investigate the motivations for self-tracking, perceptions of the quality, accuracy, and privacy of tracked data, and any links between LGBTQ+ identity and self-tracking.
This study adopted an interpretivist, qualitative methodology: six semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed by a student researcher as part of a paid research internship. The research team then carried out coding and thematic analysis.
Key findings are that participants track to manage and monitor their health; experiencing tracking as a way to support mental health was emphasised. While they felt distrust about the way apps used their data, they simply accepted the risk. This was typically because the convenience of the app outweighed their concerns about privacy. Data sharing was nuanced: often restricted because of self-consciousness or fear of being judged, but embraced when there was a feeling of working towards a shared goal. There was some connection between app use and LGBTQ+ identity.
The presentation concludes with some observations about the nature of information literacy in this context, and the implications for the support of IL development in everyday life.
References
Cox AM, McKinney P & Goodale P (2017) Food logging: an information literacy perspective. ASLIB Journal of Information Management, 69(2), 184-200
Lunde, P., Nilsson, B. Bergland, A. Kvaerner, K. Bye, A. (2018) The effectiveness of smartphone apps for lifestyle improvement in noncommunicable diseases: Systematic review and meta-analyses. Journal of Medical Internet Research 20(5) pp. 1-12
Lupton, D (2016) The quantified self. Cambridge: Polity Press
McKinney P, Cox AM & Sbaffi L (2019) Information literacy in food and activity tracking among three communities: parkrunners, people with type 2 diabetes and people with IBS. Journal of Medical Internet Research.
McKinney, P., Cox, AM & Sbaffi (2020) The Information literacy of food and activity tracking in 3 communities: parkrunners, people with type 2 diabetes and people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. LILAC conference 2020
