Quantified Self. An Empirical Investigation of Reflexive Self-Scientification

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Nicole Zillien
• Subject Area: Sociological Theory
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262541348

Quantified Self. An Empirical Investigation of Reflexive Self-Scientification: The study at hand analyses the ongoing scientification of the body from a sociological perspective. We argue that this reflexive self-scientification consists of processes of quantification, objectivation and expertisation. Reflexive self-scientification is empirically investigated using the example of diet tracking. We hypothesize, that quantified self-tracking objectifies the body which implies its perception as designable. And as body design in knowledge societies requires scientific knowledge, we also assume that there is a process of expertisation taking place. The empirical investigation consists of (1) an artefact analysis to study the affordances of diet tracking apps, (2) a content analysis of online material and (3) qualitative interviews and self-tracking data to examine user-defined routines and effects of quantified self. The aim is to conceptualise reflexive self-scientification on an empirical base.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants