This document summarizes the results of a survey about quantified self-tracking. The survey found that:
- The top 5 things people track are weight, sleep, steps/walking, activity logging, and heart rate.
- The most commonly used self-tracking tools are spreadsheets, pen and paper, Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, and Moves.
- Respondents' goals for self-tracking include integrating data easily without giving up control to any one company and running peer-based workshops on data analysis.
- The greatest challenge is maintaining ease of use and automation for long-term data collection.
4. Why do a survey?
We estimate around 500 unique tools.
(Matches the 505 tools listed in the QS guide to self-tracking tools.)
5. Why do a survey?
We estimate around 500 unique tools.
(Matches the 505 tools listed in the QS guide to self-tracking tools.)
What mobile device do you use?
iPhone / iOS 52%
Android 50%
Windows 5.7%
Other 4.7%
6. Why do a survey?
We estimate around 500 unique tools.
(Matches the 505 tools listed in the QS guide to self-tracking tools.)
having all the relevant
data at my fingertips and
being able to use it safely
After my death
definitely.
What mobile device do you use?
iPhone / iOS 52%
Android 50%
Windows 5.7%
Other 4.7%
7. Aim
1. What data people are collecting and
analysing?
2. Where are the gaps in the current tools and
skills?
3. What above all are people looking for and
ultimately trying to do?
8. ❏ Allergies
❏ Weight
❏ Running
❏ etc
In five categories select
the things you track:
For each metric you track
we ask 3 more detailed
questions:
And finish with two pages
of general questions
1. 2. 3.
12. Who are you?
All complete
responses:
105
Software Development (e.g. coding) 30%
Data Analysis 46%
Visualisation & Design 35%
Making (e.g. building sensors) 6.7%
Skills
18. Overall top tools
An analog stronghold.
The first wearable gadget!
Spreadsheet 41%
Pen & Paper 28%
Fitbit 20%
MyFitnessPal 16%
Moves 14%
RunKeeper 13%
Withings Scales 13%
A total of 1452 tools were mentioned,
that’s almost 14 per person.
20. Privacy vs data sharing
As promised we will publish aggregate stats.
21. Privacy vs data sharing
As promised we will publish aggregate stats.
Raw data is more difficult because of “high-
dimensionality” and text fields.
I use a self made tool to
draw art while asleep.R > sdcMicro
23. “I want to run peer-based workshops.”
“Perhaps invite a data-mining statistician to
talk, be available (at a charge)”
24. “The greatest challenge with data
collection is around ease of use,
automation, etc. Whenever I have
had to manually record my own
data then I have usually given up.”