The research work package no. 5
Palacký university in Olomouc, In collaboration with the institute of sociology of the cas
Development of International Cooperation and Enhancement of Application Potential in the Creation of Health, Education and Enviromental Policies (UP)
Leader dr. Petr Baďura (UP)
is a member of the international research network HBSC, where he serves as the co-chair of the "Peer Culture and Leisure Time" working group and is part of the Scientific Development Group. Within the Czech HBSC team, he is responsible for the methodological aspects of the study, including the preparation of the nationally representative dataset. He completed his Ph.D. studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
What do we do?
UPOL – VZ5
What do we study?
Research area 5 is based on the participation of Czech researchers in three recognised international studies. Each of these studies is unique in its focus:
EU Kids Online monitors the risks and opportunities associated with children’s and adolescents’ use of the internet and digital technologies in relation to their wellbeing.
HBSC also focuses on children and adolescents but covers a wider range of topics, monitoring health and wellbeing with respect to lifestyle factors and sociodemographic and social characteristics.
ISSP is a sociological survey targeting the adult population; it currently examines how technology use relates to adults’ wellbeing, attitudes toward digital technologies, and barriers to their use.
Although these studies differ in design, all are long-term and allow the collection of nationally representative data — and, crucially, the comparison of Czech findings with results from other countries thanks to standardised methodology.
Another essential part of our work is the application and dissemination of research findings “beyond the walls of academic institutions”. Regular users of our results include national ministries, the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, WHO, UNICEF, as well as regions and municipalities. We also address the general public and important target groups such as schools, parents, and children.
How can this research benefit society?
For many indicators, these studies provide the main data source for the Czech Republic. Without them, we would have no concrete understanding of, for example, what portion of the population no longer has full control over its use of digital technologies and which groups are at risk.
The repeated measurement in these studies offers a unique opportunity to observe long-term trends, and their international scope places Czech results into a broader context. Are we doing better or worse than before? Do our findings differ from those of other countries? Without these time-based and cross-national comparisons, it would be far more difficult for society to identify threats to population wellbeing — and to respond to them adequately and in time.
VZ5 – UHK
What do we study?
We collect and analyse data on human behavior and vital states from various sources. These include data from wearable electronics and environmental sensors that monitor the quality of the environment in which individuals move.
We have developed the HealthReact system, which manages data collection, processing, and reporting. The system is used in many national and international studies and allows researchers to respond to data by sending SMS messages, emails, or targeted questionnaires directly to our mobile application carried by the user. We thus ask targeted questions based on the evaluation of measured data and collect subjective information directly from the individual. Reports combine both objective data and subjective responses, providing a comprehensive picture of the monitored person.
Within the DigiWELL project, we extended the system with a mobile application that enables the collection of behavioural data on participants’ own mobile devices and supports research aimed at better understanding their — often excessive — use of digital technologies.
How can this research benefit society?
We support research studies across many disciplines, including kinanthropology, psychology, and medical sciences. We focus on various population groups and diverse issues, such as healthy lifestyle or diabetes. We help researchers obtain accurate data and better understand processes within specific populations.
Our system also enables intervention studies aimed at helping participants meet their goals. In all projects, we collaborate with experts in the relevant field and assist them in designing studies and rules that appropriately target the specific problem, ensuring the greatest possible impact.