Abandoned chip: Investigating abandonment of commercial wearables

Abandonment of wearable fitness trackers continues to be an ongoing issue. Literature has compiled many reasons; however, the roles of data literacy and data visualization literacy have been underexplored. Two qualitative studies, an online survey and in depth semi-structured interviews investigated whether insufficient data interpretation is a barrier to sustained tracker use. Results found that users may overestimate their literacy levels potentially leading them to misinterpret health data, and better support from designers and professionals is warranted. In particular, mandatory tutorials and assessments unlocking data are explored. Interaction with smart shorts, smart insoles, and accompanying data provided insight on who might adopt newer wearables, who could benefit, and how to design a better onboarding user experience. Recommendations for better use of wearable technology to address physical inactivity and obesity, as well as suggestions to support literacies are presented that the HCI community can use to move the field forward.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Information Technology (M.I.T.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Digital Media

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Eden-Walker, Simon

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2020 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2020-14408

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/41551