The latest news from Cafestudy

Devices and Browsers - how are you completing surveys?

The latest news from Cafestudy

Posted by: Caféstudy

8th Aug 2014 12:30pm

A dial-up modem connected to a chunky desktop computer used to be the only way we could make use of the Internet in our homes. Today, we have smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and even smart refrigerators to surf the net on. With all these choices, we were interested to find out if the way in which you are completing surveys is changing.

Looking at all the different devices and browsers Cafestudy members are using by taking a sample from recent surveys, we found that computers are still by far the most popular way to complete surveys. Despite all of the available alternatives, 81% were using computers to complete their surveys, with just 10% on tablets and 9% on smartphones. However, not everyone is permanently stuck in old habits – compared to last year, the number of respondents on mobile devices has grown by 47%. Disappointingly, nobody was found to be adventuring and completing surveys on their fridge!

When it comes to differences between age groups, in general, completing surveys on computers increases with age, while usage of mobile devices decreases with age. 35-44 year olds were the most likely to be using a tablet while 16-24 year olds were the least likely. Smartphone use was highest amongst 25-34 year olds, with over a quarter using them to complete their surveys.

The top three browsers used on computers were Chrome (42%), Internet Explorer (28%) and Firefox (21%). Younger people were more likely to be using Chrome, whereas the use of Internet Explorer rose with age. When it comes to how often different browser users update their versions, the vast majority of Safari users (80%) are using the latest version of Safari, whereas Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox users were far less likely to have updated their versions recently. In particular Firefox users were slack to update, with only 2% using the latest version of Firefox and 74% using Firefox from 3 or 4 versions ago.

With all the combinations of devices and browsers, we are spoilt for choice when using the web. Despite computers still being the favourite option, smartphones and tablets are quickly gaining in popularity. Different ages have also shown to have different preferences for both devices and for browsers, with the general trend of computer usage increasing with age. It will be interesting to see what devices prevail and whether using a desktop computer for online surveys will become less popular as time goes on. But for now, it seems as though it remains well-loved and relevant.

Coco
  • 5th Feb 2015 11:38am

I see some, many indeed who do surveys on their hi tech phones but as an older person whose eyes are getting a bit weary I use only my desktop PC's with fast Win 8.1 Firefox is my no 1 preference browser and my largest best resolution monitors.
That's just to give my eyes a break otherwise I would only be good for 1 survey a day, but using big screens and fast response connections I can get several done each day and supplement my pension.
How the younger set and kids do surveys on those little fiddly screens just beats me.


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