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Encouraging serendipity in research: designing technologies to support connection-making

Kefalidou, Genovefa; Sharples, Sarah

Authors

Genovefa Kefalidou

SARAH SHARPLES SARAH.SHARPLES@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Human Factors



Abstract

Mobile applications have the ability to present information to users that is influenced by their surroundings, activities and interests. Such applications have the potential to influence the likelihood of individuals experiencing ‘serendipity’, through a combination of information, context, insight and activity. This study reports the deployment of a system that sends push text suggestions to users throughout the day, where the content of those messages is informed by users’ experience and interests. We investigated the responses to and interactions with messages that varied in format and relevance, and which were received at different times throughout the day. Sixteen participants were asked to use a mobile diary application to record their experiences and thoughts regarding information that was received over a period of five consecutive days. Results suggest that participants’ perception of the received suggestions was influenced by the relevance of the suggestion to their interests, but that there were also positive attitudes towards seemingly irrelevant information. Qualitative data indicates that participants, if in an appropriate time and place, are willing to accept and act upon push suggestions as long as the number of suggestions that they receive is not overwhelming. This study contributes towards an understanding of how mobile users make connections with new information, furthering our understanding of how serendipitous connections and insightful thinking could be accommodated using technology.

Citation

Kefalidou, G., & Sharples, S. (in press). Encouraging serendipity in research: designing technologies to support connection-making. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 89, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2016.01.003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 6, 2016
Online Publication Date Jan 14, 2016
Deposit Date Apr 11, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
Print ISSN 1071-5819
Electronic ISSN 1071-5819
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 89
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2016.01.003
Keywords Making connections; Push text suggestions; Serendipity; Reflection; Diary study; Wizard of Oz
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/772757
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581916000045

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