Study title

Amateur Naturalism and Technology 2020-2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD3504

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3504

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Santaoja, Minna (University of Turku. Finland Futures Research Centre)

Abstract

The dataset consists of texts by nature enthusiasts on utilising technology in their nature-related hobbies. The data were collected for a study on the impact of technology on people's connection with nature and knowledge of nature. The invitation to write was aimed at all nature enthusiasts who had experiences of or opinions on technology, even if they had not utilised technology in their hobby. The data were collected during the coronavirus pandemic, so some texts also reference COVID-19.

The writing guidelines instructed the writers to describe their nature-related hobby and their relationship with mobile technology. The guidelines included questions on, for instance, whether the writers enjoyed being in nature alone or with someone else, how they utilised technology in their hobby, whether they shared pictures of nature on their social media, and whether they wrote about their nature observations online. Additionally, the writers were asked whether technology had inspired them to identify new species or influenced their behaviour in nature.

Background information included the writer's gender, age group, and whether they lived in an urban or rural environment. The data were organised into an easy to use HTML version at FSD.

The dataset is only available in Finnish.

Keywords

COVID-19; computer software; digital games; hobbies; natural environment; ornithology; photography; social media; technology and innovation

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Information society (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Leisure, tourism and sport (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Santaoja, Minna (University of Turku. Finland Futures Research Centre)

Collection Dates

2020-08-13 – 2021-01-10

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Nature enthusiasts who had experiences of or opinions on utilising technology in a nature-related hobby

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The invitation to write was shared on the researcher's personal social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and the following nature-related hobby groups on Facebook: Suomen linnut, Suomen sieniseura, Suomen ötökät - Bugs of Finland, and Kasvien tunnistusta. Additionally, a notice of data collection was published in the September 2020 issue of the Suomen luonto magazine.

Collection Mode

Self-administered writings and/or diaries: Web-based (Penna textual data collection tool)

Research Instrument

Data collection guidelines: Self-administered writings guide

Data Files

40 files in TXT format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The data were collected for the purposes of academic or literary expression. Some personal data essential for the reuse of the data, such as indirect identifiers referring to the writer, were purposely not removed. During archiving at FSD, the writer's name was removed from one text.

A total of 43 responses were received. Two texts were removed from the archived data because the writer did not consent to the archiving of their text. Additionally, one response containing only the writer's background information was removed.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Santaoja, Minna (University of Turku): Amateur Naturalism and Technology 2020-2021 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2021-04-29). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3504

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Special Terms and Conditions for Access

The data may contain indirect identifiers. When publishing quotations from the data, users need to consider very carefully in each specific case what information needs to be removed or altered according to research ethical guidelines.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Santaoja, Minna, & Peltola, Taru (2023). Lähentävätkö vai etäännyttävätkö digitaaliset välineet luonnosta? Luontoharrastajien kokemuksia harrastuksensa teknologisoitumisesta. Suomen Museo-Finskt Museum, 130, 6-26.