Abstract

Monica Perez*, Barbara D’Amen*, Barbara Maria Rosa Lorè*, Alessandra Nuccitelli*
* Italian National Institute of Statistics

Smart surveys combine data provided by the respondent, either in a traditional way via a web questionnaire or through smart instruments (active mode), with data collected by sensors embedded in smart devices (passive mode). This approach reduces the burden on respondents and improves the quality and timeliness of the results, especially in complex surveys. Within the framework of the European Statistical System, Istat participated in the Smart Surveys Implementation project (2023-2025), in partnership with other national statistical institutes and some European universities. As part of the project, an experimental survey named “New Ways of Measuring” was conducted in Italy, the Netherlands, and Slovenia in a harmonised manner with the aim of assessing the respondents’ attitudes towards the new ways of collecting data in smart surveys. Each person was asked to complete two questionnaires consecutively: first a paper questionnaire and then an online questionnaire. The paper questionnaire was designed to reach also those who do not have smart devices and/or have limited skills in using these devices. The aim of this questionnaire was to find out how respondents would like to be invited to participate in a statistical survey, the mode and the device through which they would prefer to participate, their habits regarding the use of smart devices, and their hypothetical willingness to perform smart tasks. The online questionnaire, on the other hand, was designed to explore the respondents’ actual willingness to share data via smart devices. This questionnaire required the performance of four smart tasks: sharing geolocation, sharing step counting, sharing photos of receipts, and sharing photos of energy meters.
The purpose of this study is to investigate how socio-demographic characteristics influence the performance of smart tasks in the Italian context. The findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between innovations in survey techniques and digital inequality.