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Understanding the Predictors of Missing Location Data to Inform Smartphone Study Design: Observational Study
Anna L Beukenhorst1,2, Jamie C Sergeant1,3, David M Schultz4,5
1Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
|November 16, 2021
Summary
Missing smartphone location data is common, especially for iPhone users at night or when disengaged. Understanding these patterns is crucial for accurate health study analysis and intervention safety.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Epidemiology
- Mobile Health Technology
Background:
- Smartphone location data is valuable for health studies but prone to missing data.
- Missing data can compromise study validity and intervention safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the patterns and predictors of missing smartphone location data.
- Inform the design, analysis, and interpretation of smartphone-based health studies.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed hourly location data from 9665 participants over 488,400 participant days.
- Used generalized mixed-effects linear models with logistic regression to identify predictors of missing data.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in data completeness observed between Android and iPhone users.
- Location data recording was less likely during weekends, nights, and with longer study duration or recent app inactivity.
- Participant age and sex did not predict missing location data.
Conclusions:
- Identified key predictors of missing smartphone location data, including operating system and time of day.
- Findings can guide app settings, user instructions, and analysis methods (e.g., imputation) for future studies.
- Emphasizes the need to address missing data consequences, particularly for vulnerable user groups and conditions.
Keywords:
data analysisdigital epidemiologyenvironmental exposuresgeolocationglobal positioning systemlocation datamissing datamobile applicationmobile healthmobile phonesmartphonesMore Related Videos
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