As part of the EU project “Smart Survey Implementation”, two smart features were developed and tested to enhance app-based, diary-supported surveys:
- a receipt scanner for automated recording of expenditures
- a geotracking function that uses background GPS data as a memory aid for reporting time use activities
Read the full article here, written by Lasse Häufglöckner & Johannes Volk from Destatis.
Key insights from testing
Qualitative usability tests and a quantitative field study show that both features are widely accepted and used by respondents:
- The receipt scanner was clearly preferred over manual entry and perceived as a strong reduction in respondent burden.
- The geotracking function helped participants recall locations and movements when completing diary entries.
Smart surveys are not just about adding technology – they’re about turning diary methods into truly smarter diaries.
But smarter also means higher expectations
The results underline that respondents expect smart features to work reliably and seamlessly and show little willingness to correct errors manually. With the rapid advancement of AI, expectations toward such intelligent functionalities are likely to increase further.
What’s next?
Despite current technical limitations, smart features hold great potential to reduce respondent burden, improve data quality, and advance app-based surveys in official statistics.
The receipt scanner is currently being further developed and prepared for its first field use in the 2026 wave of the German Household Budget Survey, including improved automated product classification (e.g. COICOP, SEA).
Recruitment matters
The quantitative field test confirms high uptake of the scanning function. However, low response rates from postal recruitment suggest that future app-based diary studies should increasingly rely on alternative recruitment strategies, such as interviewer-assisted first contact.
A European collaboration
The project brought together:
- 7 national statistical institutes (BE, DE, FR, IT, NL, NO, SI)
- 3 universities (Free University of Brussels, University of Mannheim, Utrecht University)
- 1 IT service provider (hbits CV), developer of the MOTUS app
