Time-use research
Time use research is a developing interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to knowing how people allocate their time during an average day.
The comprehensive approach to time use research addresses a wide array of political, social, and cultural issues through the use of time use surveys. Surveys provide geographic data and time diaries that volunteers record using GPS technology and day journals. Time use research investigates human activity inside and outside the paid economy. It also looks at how these activities have changed over time.
Questions relating to time use research arise in most professional and academic disciplines, notably:
- urban planning and urban design (how does community design impact peoples’ use of time?)
- transportation planning (what groups use active transportation and public transit?)
- social work (how do people maintain social relationships and who is more likely to spend time alone?)
- recreation and active living (which groups are more physically active?)
- information technology (what role does information technology play in peoples’ daily lives?)