Abstract
The mobile phone has become a crucial part of personal life that crosses all age and gender boundaries. Mobile phone usage can potentially play a significant role in serving older people in many ways especially in terms of maintaining social relationships, providing a sense of safety and accessibility. However, older people seem to be the neglected user group in the design of mobile phone devices and services. The senior citizens face so many issues as the small device size makes holding it difficult and makes the text too small and difficulty to read on the screen. Typing in regional languages on a smartphone can be tough too. It takes a lot of practice to get familiar with the keyboard, especially on smaller screens as there are so many characters and elements to use.
Purpose of Study and Research Questions
The purpose of the study is to investigate about mobile phones and their use by senior citizens in India, to identify the features needed to type in regional language to promote the more rapid adoption of mobile phones among senior citizens. The study addresses the following research questions:
1. What are the characteristics of mobile phone usage among senior citizens in India?
2. What types of difficulties do senior citizens in India experience while typing on mobile phones?
1. What are the characteristics of mobile phone usage among senior citizens in India?
2. What types of difficulties do senior citizens in India experience while typing on mobile phones?
3. Is their preferred regional language available on the mobile phone?
4. How do factors such as culture and language influence the use of mobile phones among senior
citizens?
5. What features should be included in a mobile phone designed for use by senior citizens, that will help increase the rate of mobile phone adoption by them?
4. How do factors such as culture and language influence the use of mobile phones among senior
citizens?
5. What features should be included in a mobile phone designed for use by senior citizens, that will help increase the rate of mobile phone adoption by them?
Review of Literature
Studies conducted internationally have indicated that a many senior citizens are not users of digital technology, and that many seniors face barriers such as a lack of confidence in using technology or physical conditions that make it difficult for them to use mobile phones or other digital devices.
India is a country of about one hundred million elderly persons as 8.6% of the total of 1210 million population in the country have crossed sixty years of their age. Further, of the total elderly
persons, 8.3% are males and 9% females. The senior segment represents as little as 2 percent of active mobile users, with still fewer using smartphones. These older people show greater propensity of using social networking and browsing; while having lower habits of audio/video streaming. They prefer to be most comfortable in their own regional language. There is no national language in India. There are various official languages in India at the state/territory level. There are other 21 regional languages in India, excluding Hindi and English.
India is a country of about one hundred million elderly persons as 8.6% of the total of 1210 million population in the country have crossed sixty years of their age. Further, of the total elderly
persons, 8.3% are males and 9% females. The senior segment represents as little as 2 percent of active mobile users, with still fewer using smartphones. These older people show greater propensity of using social networking and browsing; while having lower habits of audio/video streaming. They prefer to be most comfortable in their own regional language. There is no national language in India. There are various official languages in India at the state/territory level. There are other 21 regional languages in India, excluding Hindi and English.
Methods
The research will consist of a mixed method factual study of viewpoint and the use of mobile
phones among a group of senior citizens in India. Data collection methods will consist of initial internet research, then a quantitative survey of senior citizens, and in depth interviews. India has been chosen for the study for several reasons. India is a developing country, still growing its adaptation of technology among senior citizens and rural areas. No previous research has examined the use of mobile phones among senior citizens in this setting (typing in regional language), and it is not known how mobile phone interfaces need to be adapted to the needs of this specific group.
The research will consist of a mixed method factual study of viewpoint and the use of mobile
phones among a group of senior citizens in India. Data collection methods will consist of initial internet research, then a quantitative survey of senior citizens, and in depth interviews. India has been chosen for the study for several reasons. India is a developing country, still growing its adaptation of technology among senior citizens and rural areas. No previous research has examined the use of mobile phones among senior citizens in this setting (typing in regional language), and it is not known how mobile phone interfaces need to be adapted to the needs of this specific group.
Data Collection
A quantitative survey questionnaire will be used for data collection in the first stage of the
research, facilitated by the use of google forms. Since the research will be conducted with
elderly regional language speaking individuals who might not be familiar with the use of online survey software, face to face interviews will be used, in which the researcher will read the questions and range of possible responses to the participants in their preferred language, and then directly input their answers into the survey database in English. Interviews will be conducted at a venue chosen by the participant, such as their own home, or a public place. The use of questions will enable the quantification of particular types of responses relating to the use of and attitudes towards mobile phones, while involving of qualitative open ended interview will enable the researcher to capture additional insights into the participants’ own words.
Questions
1. Whether the individual currently uses a mobile phone and, if so, which brand and model.
For participants currently using a mobile phone:
2. How long they have owned their current mobile phone
3. How long they have been using any form of mobile phone and how confident they are with
its features
4. Frequency of use of listed features of their mobile phone
5. Availability of their regional language in their mobiles
6. Experiences and frequency of difficulties when typing in their regional language on mobile
phone.
7. Demographic information
8. The overall use of and confidence in technology
1. Whether the individual currently uses a mobile phone and, if so, which brand and model.
For participants currently using a mobile phone:
2. How long they have owned their current mobile phone
3. How long they have been using any form of mobile phone and how confident they are with
its features
4. Frequency of use of listed features of their mobile phone
5. Availability of their regional language in their mobiles
6. Experiences and frequency of difficulties when typing in their regional language on mobile
phone.
7. Demographic information
8. The overall use of and confidence in technology
The interviews will be audio recorded and be subsequently duplicated and translated into
English for analysis. After signing the consent form, each participant will be interviewed in their preferred language by the researcher. However, since this stage of the study will use a qualitative approach, the interviews will be relatively informal and the participants will be asked to provide and explain their responses in their own words
English for analysis. After signing the consent form, each participant will be interviewed in their preferred language by the researcher. However, since this stage of the study will use a qualitative approach, the interviews will be relatively informal and the participants will be asked to provide and explain their responses in their own words
Gist of Questions
1. Detailed descriptions of mobile phone usage
2. Perceived cultural or religious barriers to the use of mobile phones among them
1. Detailed descriptions of mobile phone usage
2. Perceived cultural or religious barriers to the use of mobile phones among them
3. Perceived language barriers to the use of mobile phones among them
4. Suggested ways of encouraging more senior citizens to ease typing in regional language
5. Views on the typing features of mobile phones and other methods of communicating with
family and friends
4. Suggested ways of encouraging more senior citizens to ease typing in regional language
5. Views on the typing features of mobile phones and other methods of communicating with
family and friends
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Data from the qualitative survey questions on the participants’ experiences and views on mobile phones will be translated into English and analyzed using simple descriptive statistical techniques to determine the frequencies and distribution of responses to the interview questions. This will enable the researcher to identify how Indian senior citizens use mobile phones and their views on and experiences of using them to type in regional language. The qualitative data from the open ended questions will be read, sorted into categories of similar responses, and included in the analysis narrative.
Conclusion
The study will make an important contribution to knowledge about how best practice guidance
in mobile phone interface design needs to be modified to meet the needs of Indian senior
citizens in the cultural setting of India.
References
Overcoming challenges in smart phone use among older adults in Saudi Arabia (Online article) by Muath Alhussain Khawaji, Iowa State University
The Use of Mobile Phones by Elderly: A Study in Malaysia Perspectives, (Online article) by Nazean Jomhari, University of Malaya
Mobile phone use in the elderly: Boon or bane? (Online article) by Alka A Subramanyam
94 per cent senior citizens don't have mobile phones in India (Online article) by India today
Senior citizens and smartphones, (Online article), The Hindu
India’s internet population is growing older and more rural(Online article), By Sohini Mitter
