Do You Know Which Device Your Respondent Has Used to Take Your Online Survey?
Abstract
The type of devices that can be used to go online is becoming more varied. Users
access the internet through traditional desktops and laptops, as well as netbooks,
tablets, videogame consoles, mobile phones and ebook readers. Because many online
surveys are designed to be taken on a standard desktop or laptop screen, it is
important to monitor from which device your online sample is taking the survey, and
to consider the consequences the device might have for visual design impact and
survey estimates. A survey designed to be taken on a desktop does not necessarily
or automatically look the same when taken from netbooks, smartphones and other
devices. This article will present a description of some tools to collect paradata
that allow us to understand from which device the online survey is accessed, along
with an initial suggestion for best practices.
