Does allowing survey takers to switch devices improve responses?

Abstract

With the growing reliance on tablets and smartphones for internet access, understanding the effects of completion device on online survey responses becomes increasing important. This discussion group will explore experiences for those using online surveys and how they can be optimized. The discussion leaders work on a large national survey project and recently did a study investigating how respondents switch device types when allowed to do so and how this switching affects survey responses. For example, those who start the survey on a smartphone, and to a lesser effect tablet users, seem to switch devices at higher rates. Differences concerning how the device switching affects survey completion, time spent responding, and quality and completeness of responses will also be discussed.