One-of-eight mobile phones sold this year were smartphones (Internet-enabled cell phones), with sales of these devices growing at a rate of over 20 percent per year. While current smart phone users are demographically quite different from cell phone users in general, these differences will diminish as smart phone penetration exceeds 50 percent over the next five years. Survey researchers are already testing multiple-mode interviewing with cell phones to complete interviews by voice and text message. What

about using the internet-enable smart phone to open a new possibility for survey research—text message interviewing? Text message interviewing presents many challenges, from very limited survey complexity to respondent confusion regarding the response the researcher is looking for. A potential solution involves web-based data collection on smartphones using the same web survey tools researchers already have in

their data collection toolbox.

The purpose of this pilot is to test if a standard web survey program can effectively be used to administer a web survey through both traditional desk/laptop computers as well as smart phones. IFC Macro is piloting a short web-based survey to cell phone users invited through links provided via e-mail and/or text messaging. Cognitive follow-up interviews will be completed with respondents immediately following the completion of the survey to determine satisfaction and usability levels.

The results of this pilot study will inform survey researchers on the potential barriers to smart phone data collection, including network speeds, screen and text size, navigation challenges, and questionnaire length. Respondent satisfaction with the survey experience will be measured along with willingness to participate in future smart phone survey requests.