Smart surveys and the digital divide in Italy: the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on the smart tasks’ performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71014/sieds.v80i4.516Keywords:
smart surveys, digital divideAbstract
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.
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.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Monica Perez, Barbara D'Amen, Barbara Maria Rosa Lorè, Alessandra Nuccitelli

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