Page 96 - Proceedings of the 2017 ITU Kaleidoscope

2017 ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference

consideration in the role and engagement of individuals in of individual’s agency and the structural context. Using
data-driven societies. Sen’s capability approach can help to unpack this process in
a more generalized manner wherein the data that people
In this research we investigate the engagement of have access to is simply a resource that potentially
individuals in the use of data towards the achievement of increases individuals’ capabilities set, and therefore one
the sustainable development imperatives as articulated in that individuals can use to achieve their desired
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Section 2 functionings [22]. This process can be further enunciated by
provides a theoretical articulation of dynamics of data for identifying one of the mechanisms through which collected
development and also provides a characterization of small social indicators data is utilized, which is for facilitating
data. This is followed in section 3 by a presentation of the individuals’ reflection and critical awareness of their own
survey that was undertaken to understand participants’ life and circumstances [23].
attitudes and practice towards collection and sharing social
indicators data. Section 4 and 5 provides a discussion
informed by the findings of the research, and section 6
concludes the paper.

2. SMALL DATA AND DEVELOPMENT

While there is a tendency to consider data generally and
broadly, different types (e.g. Big Data, open data, citizen
generated data, small data, real-time data) of data stand to
st
play varied roles within the 21 century data ecosystem. For
example, the dynamics associated with the use of Big Data
by governments are very different from the dynamics of
open data, wherein the former could be associated with
citizens disempowerment through increased surveillance
and collection of citizens data, while the latter could be
associated with empowerment of the citizenry through the
increased openness and transparency of government
towards the citizens. Similarly citizen generated data could
play a more elevated role towards better describing
grassroots social development phenomenon, while small
data could lead to individuals being connected to more
actionable and relevant insights.

Small data, which is of main focus in this research, is Fig. 1. Expounded information value chain
increasingly being conceptualized and defined in very
distinct terms. Small data has been articulated: as the digital The notion of using data, in particular personal data, for
traces around an individual [18]; as data from an reflection is also noted as an explicit phase in the Stage-
ethnographic and human-centric investigation of a social based model of Personal Informatics Systems which
phenomenon [19]; and as an approach to analyzing data at consists of the stages of [15]: preparation – establishing
the same unit of sampling [20]. In this research we adopt motivations for tracking data and identifying which data is
the characterization of small data for development as “an of interest; collection – the actual collection of the
approach to data processing that focuses on the individual identified data; integration – processing of the data, which
as the locus of data collection, analysis, and utilization involves analysis, combination and transformation;
towards increasing their capabilities and freedom to achieve reflection – when users engage with the data for the
their desired functioning” [21]. This definition focuses on purposes of sense-making and meaning-making; and action
the individual and their associated interactions within the – which is the stage at which individual actively chose a
data ecosystem, and from this perspective the emphasis in particular course of action informed by the reflection on the
the consideration of data for development is about data collected.
connecting individuals with the relevant data (including
personal data, big data, open data, real-time data) towards The motivation, within the preparation phase in the Stage-
their development and wellbeing. Based Model of Personal Informatics Systems, for people
to collect information about themselves is usually to
advance self-knowledge, self-insight and to promote
The value proposition for data for development follows the
traditional information value chain, wherein data that is positive attitudes and behaviors [24]. Rooskby et al
converted to relevant information, informs decision making identify what they term “styles” of personal information
and has an impact on life (Figure 1). This basic information tracking which are [6] : Directive tracking – wherein
value chain however oversimplifies a complex and much individuals record and track personal information towards a
more nuanced process that typically unfolds at the interplay goal achievement. For example, measuring and monitoring

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