Political and social participation via Internet. Methodology

The Survey on ICT Equipment and Use in Households is an annual sample-based survey conducted by the INE for the whole of Spain. On the basis of a collaboration agreement with the INE, Idescat expands upon the results offered by this survey for Catalonia.

The main objectives of the survey are:

• To find out about the use of information and communication technologies (ITC) equipment in homes (landline telephone, mobile telephone, computer equipment and Internet connection).
• To find out about the use of the Internet and e-commerce by the population.
• To meet the requirements of international organisations.
• To obtain information that is comparable with that of autonomous communities, Spain and other countries.

1. Population scope

The target population consists of principal family dwellings and the people aged 16 and over living there at the time of the interview. Although the target population is made up of people of all ages, research is only made of people aged 16 years or more.

If children aged 10 to 15 live in the dwelling, they are asked a set of questions on their use of computers and Internet.

2. Time scope

The survey is conducted annually, although the time periods of reference are different depending on the characteristic being researched.

The following reference periods are distinguished:

• The present time, basically used in questions related to the equipment in the dwelling.
• In questions related to the use of the Internet and e-commerce, used in the 3 or 12 months before the interviews are held.
• The previous week, for socio-economic and demographic characteristics.

3. Geographical scope

The geographical scope of the research consists of the whole of Spain. As indicated in the objectives, the survey provides results for each autonomous community.

4. Statistical unit

Two basic observation units are considered: main family dwellings selected for the sample and the people that live in them.

The unit of analysis, in the case of dwellings, corresponds to those where at least one resident is aged 16 to 74 years. As for individuals, this unit corresponds to people aged 16 to 74 years and children aged 6 to 15 years.

5. Sample design

A stratified tri-stage sample type is used for the first-stage units, the census tracts. The second-stage units are the main family dwellings and for the third stage, one person aged 16 or over is selected from each dwelling. Likewise, information is obtained on all children aged 6 to 15 years residing in the dwelling.

The framework used for the selection of the first-stage units is made up of a list of existing census tracts with November 2015 as the reference period, which periodically incorporate the variations that occur over time. To select the second-stage units, the list of dwellings from the most recent exploitation of the Municipal Population Register was used.

The sections are grouped into strata, within each autonomous community, in accordance with the size of the municipality they are:

• Municipalities with 500,000 inhabitants or more.
• Municipalities that are provincial capitals and have fewer than 500,000 inhabitants.
• Municipalities of between 100,000 and fewer than 500,000 inhab, that are not provincial capitals.
• Municipalities of between 50,000 and fewer than 100,000 inhab, that are not provincial capitals.
• Municipalities of between 20,000 and fewer than 50,000 inhab, that are not provincial capitals.
• Municipalities of between 10,000 and fewer than 20,000 inhabitants.
• Municipalities with fewer than 10,000 habitants.

An independent sample is designed for each autonomous community that guarantees a minimum sample size of each in order to obtain reliable estimates that comply with some of the objectives of the survey. The sample is distributed among autonomous communities using a mixed allocation between that which is uniform and proportional to the size of the community.

The selection of first-stage units in each stratum is done using a probability proportional to the size of each section. In the case of Catalonia, the number of sections in the sample is 216, with 13 dwellings selected in each.

In the second stage, in order to obtain self-weighted samples of dwellings for each stratum, these were selected by means of systematic random sampling and the same probability of selection.

In the third stage, and for each dwelling, equal probability was used to select one person aged 16 or more.

This survey is an ongoing study conducted every year. In order to include possible variations occurring in census tracts and avoid excessive disturbance of the informant families, a rotation system is used, i.e. the sample of sections and dwellings is partially renewed each year. The rotation shifts are groups of sample sections that are used to gradually include modifications in the sample. Thus, in each autonomous community the sample sections per stratum are distributed in representative rotation shifts. So, the survey is a rotating panel with four rotation shifts, whereby the sections and dwellings of one particular shift are renewed annually.

6. Data collection

The questionnaire is structured into different blocks.

Block I identifies (by sex, age, permanent or temporary resident, etc.) all of the members of the household. This block identifies which people are surveyable and is used to randomly select one of them.

Block II contains questions in reference to the equipment in the dwelling, such as computer, and landline and mobile telephone.

Block III contains questions about the dwelling's Internet access and Internet connection and the types of connections used.

Block IV is completed if children aged 10 to 15 live in the dwelling. It collects information on their use of computers, the Internet and mobile phones.

The informant in these first four blocks can be any adult member of the household. In whatever case, the informant must be able to provide information relative to all members of the household, its equipment and, if necessary, the use of ICT by minors.

The following blocks must be answered by the chosen person as it contains questions about the personal use of ICT.

Block V deals with mobile phone and Internet use in terms of the timing and frequency of use. In addition, it asks questions about the household's level of trust in the Internet and the online services used: communication, information searches, e-banking, political and social participation, etc.

In block VI, questions are asked about the household's interaction with public administrations via the Internet or the applications made available by public administrations or services. This block has been made longer than in previous editions and now collects information on the activities carried out through these channels, such as downloading forms, requesting or booking appointments, submitting tax returns, requesting official documents and making claims or complaints, among others.

Block VII contains an extensive battery of questions on e-commerce; the last time it was used to make a purchase, the type of products or services acquired and ordered through the Internet, the origin of vendors, total expenditure on purchases, phone and Internet use in terms of the timing and frequency of use. In addition, it asks questions about the household's level of trust in the Internet and the online services used: communication, information searches, e-banking, political and social participation, etc.

Block VIII contains questions on the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in people's private lives. It asks about the adoption of home automation systems and the use of internet-connected devices or systems, such as smart watches, toys, cars with wireless connections, etc. It also asks about any problems encountered when using these devices or systems.

Block IX deals with information on recycling habits in relation to ICT equipment that is no longer being used (mobile phones, laptops or tablets, desktop computers).

Block X contains questions about teleworking: the possibility of the option, reasons for teleworking, percentage of the working day dedicated to teleworking and how they rate the teleworking experience.

Finally, block XI collects data on the socio-economic characteristics (level of completed studies, employment, household income, etc.) of the surveyed person.

Data collection commenced on 25 April 2022 and continued until 20 August. In 2005 and 2006. the operation was carried out in two waves that corresponded to the first and second halves of the reference year.

The data collection method employs three systems: CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview), CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interview) and CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview). The personal interview with a tablet (CAPI system) is used to survey dwellings being interviewed for the first time or those that do not have a contact telephone. The other dwellings are surveyed using computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI system). The CAWI interview system, first introduced in 2017, has been extended to all the units in the sample, regardless of whether they were assigned to a CAPI or CATI centre and before they were visited or called.

7. Concepts

Availability of ICT products in the dwelling

It is considered that one of these products is available to the household as long as it is available to one of its members. Products are considered available when they are in good condition for use, undergoing short-term repairs, or ordered and purchased even though not yet installed. Having products available does not necessary mean they are owned.

Access to Internet in the dwelling

A household is considered to have an Internet connection of it can access the web using any device (computer, mobile telephone, television, etc.), regardless of the type of connection (broadband, ADSL, modem or XDSI, etc.).

Internet use

Use of devices with access to Internet via any system enabling access from any place (dwelling, education centre, workplace, etc.) for any type of computer activity for a period of time, and this use may either be personal or in the company of other people.

Internet user in the last three months

People that have used Internet in the three months before the date of the interview.

Frequency of Internet use

Reference is made to use of the Internet in the last three months, on average and without taking into account particular situations (holidays, illnesses, etc.). It is considered on a daily basis (at least five days a week), every week (but not daily) and less than once a week.

Regular Internet users

People that, in the last three months, have used Internet at least once a week.

Use of mobile devices

The use of portable computers (with keyboards or touch screens) or handheld devices (mobile telephone or other handheld devices, such as PDAs, MP3/MP4 players, ebook readers, etc.) for accessing the Internet outside of the usual home or workplace in the last three months.

Security program

Security program

Internet purchasing

Acquisitions of goods or services by means of the Internet from any place but not including purchases at work.

Sending completed forms to Public Administration

Using the Internet in order to send completed forms to a Public Administration body to deal with any administrative procedure on any administrative level: local or council, autonomous community, state, administrative companies, etc.

Teleworking

Teleworking is work that is exclusively or predominately carried out remotely through the use of telecommunications, telematics and computer systems or media. The work is done at a distance, off site of the work premises, and can be from the home or a co-working work centre, … where there is an Internet connection.

8. Tabulation and publication of results

Idescat makes a tabulation of the ICT-L survey that expands upon the results offered by the INE for the autonomous community.

In order for the published data to be comparable with that offered by the INE and other official statistics organisations, the tables showing the final results refer to dwellings in which at least one person aged 16 to 74 resides, and people in this same age range.

The results are structured into three sections:

• Main variables for the equipment and use of ICT
• Equipment of ICT products in dwellings
• Use of ICT products by people

In the tables that present the results for ICT equipment in dwellings, the information is broken down by the following characteristics:

• Size of household
  • 1 member
  • 2 members
  • 3 members
  • 4 members
  • 5 members or more
• Type of household
  • Single-person household
  • Single parent living with a child
  • Childless couple co-habiting in one household
  • Couple with children co-habiting in one household
  • Other type of household
• Size of municipality
  • 100,000 and more inhabitants and provincial capitals
  • From 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants
  • From 20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants
  • From 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants
  • Less than 10,000 inhabitants
• Net monthly income of the household: sum of the regular income received by all members of the household, whether or not this income is totally or partly used to pay for the household expenses. Includes income of employees and self-employees.
  • Less than 900 euros
  • From 900 to under 1,600 euros
  • From 1,600 to under 2,500 euros
  • From 2,500 to under 3,000 euros
  • 3,000 euros and over
  • DK/NA

The tables containing the results for the use of ICT offer information broken down by demographic and socio-economic characteristics. In the first breakdown, the crossover variables are:

• Sex
• Age group
  • From 16 to 24 years
  • From 25 to 34 years
  • From 35 to 44 years
  • From 45 to 54 years
  • From 55 to 64 years
  • From 65 to 74 years
• Size of household
• Type of household
  • Co-habiting couple
  • With a spouse
  • With a civil partner
  • Non co-habiting couple
• Size of municipality
• Nationality
  • Spanish (includes people with more than one nationality, one of which is Spanish)
  • Foreign

The crossover variables for the second breakdown are:

• Level of competed studies: referring to the highest level of studies that the interviewee has reached and completed.
  • No studies
  • Primary education
  • First stage of secondary education
  • Second stage of secondary education
  • University diploma and equivalent
  • University degree, master and equivalent
  • University doctorate
  • Other studies
• Relation with activity: people are classified by whether they have or have not done some kind of paid work in the previous week to the interview date, whether for an impresario, for their own company or as a freelance.
  • Employed worker with a permanent contract
  • Employed worker with a temporary contract
  • Self-employed worker with employees
  • Self-employed worker without employees
  • Family care (unpaid)
  • Unemployed
  • Studying
  • Domestic work
  • Pensioner
  • Other employment situation
• Working day
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Main occupation: the surveyed person's type of work is classified from a dual perspective (Manual or non-manual / ICT worker or other workers).
  • Manual worker: corresponds to Large Groups 6 to 9 in the National Classification of Occupations 1994 (CNO-94).
  • Non manual worker: corresponds to the other Large Groups (0, 1 to 5) of the CNO-94.
  • ICT worker: includes non-manual workers with a job included in Primary Groups 1136, 2031, 2039, 2053, 2631, 2639, 2653, 3024, 3031 and 3042 of the CNO-94.
  • Other workers: includes manual workers and those non-manual workers that are not considered ICT workers.
• Net monthly income of the household

The results referring to the use of computers and Internet by children are broken down by:

• Sex
• Size of household
• Type of household
• Size of municipality

In years before 2006, the results refer to the total dwellings and people aged 15 or more.

The Equipment and use of ICT in Households section of the Idescat website offers information on these statistics for other years.