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Activity Number: 17 - Technology Impact on Total Survey Error
Type: Invited
Date/Time: Monday, August 3, 2020 : 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM
Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
Abstract #309269
Title: Passive Data Collection Using Smartphones
Author(s): Bella Struminskaya*
Companies: Utrecht University
Keywords: smartphone sensors; sensor error; survey error; measurement; consent; privacy
Abstract:

Smartphone sensors and apps allow researchers to passively and actively collect data about human behavior. GPS and accelerometers can be used to study human movement, online behaviors can be inferred from browsing history, information about social networks can be gained from tracking calls and text messages. By supplementing or eliminating self-report, smartphone sensor data collection can potentially reduce respondent burden, recall error, and social desirability bias. However, participants have to be able and willing to collect such data. If technological skills, privacy concerns, or other reasons prevent individuals from participating, the representativeness of such studies is threatened. Moreover, sensor data might be susceptible to measurement errors: sensors can generate inaccurate information, participants might not comply to the data collection in the ways researchers envisioned them to, and errors can happen in post-processing. This presentation discusses representation and measurement issues of smartphone sensor data collection, the role of privacy and disclosure concerns vs. techological skills for the willingness to participate in smartphone sensor measurements.


Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

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