Frequently Asked Questions
On this page:
- About the survey
- Taking part
- How do I complete the survey?
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Contact us
About the survey
Why is this survey taking place?
The DSIT Public Engagement Survey has been designed to gather information on how the public is using technology and their attitudes to science.
The results of the survey will help DSIT understand how people are engaging with, or experiencing, science and technology in their day-to-day lives.
Who is conducting the survey?
The survey is being conducted by Verian, an independent agency, on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
To find out more about Verian, please visit www.veriangroup.com/.
More information about the survey is available here.
What is the role of the Department for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)?
DSIT is the government department responsible for promoting and supporting science, as well as ensuring that new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the U.K.
Taking part
Why did we choose your address?
As it is not possible to ask everyone to take part in the survey, we select a random list of addresses to represent the entire country. Your address was selected at random from a list of private addresses held by the Royal Mail.
I don't think this survey is relevant to me
Everyone's views and experiences are valuable, even if you hardly use technology or you don't think your views are relevant. The results need to be representative of everyone in the U.K.
Who should I contact if I don't want to take part?
Taking part is voluntary, but we hope that you will as this will give us the best possible picture of how people in the U.K. use technology.
If you do not wish to take part, you don't need to do anything, although you may still receive up to three reminders from us, which you may also ignore.
If you do not wish to receive any further reminder mailings, you can either:
Opt out using this link
Call the survey helpline on 0800 008 3256
Or email Verian at PESurvey@veriangroup.com
Please be ready to provide your reference number, address and postcode so we can opt you out of further communication. The reference number is located on the top of the letter.
How do I complete the survey?
What do you need to do?
You can complete the survey online by following the instructions in the letter you have received.
You simply need to go to this website , enter one of the user IDs and associated password provided and complete the questionnaire by the date shown on the front of the letter. The survey should take around 30 minutes to complete. Only people that live in your household are allowed to take part.
What will I be asked about?
The survey covers a range of topics about your experiences of technology and the digital world, including questions on:
- Internet use and digital skills
- Broadband and mobile data usage
- Use of government digital services
- Attitudes towards science, technology and data
- Adoption and attitudes relating to Artificial intelligence (AI)
For more information about the survey content, click here.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Answering the questions is voluntary. The survey includes some questions about you such as your age, ethnicity, employment history etc. We ask these sorts of question so we can ensure that everyone's views are captured. However, if you do not wish to answer these sorts of questions then you can select 'prefer not to answer' to move to the next question.
Can I help someone fill in the survey?
Yes, that's fine. If a friend or a relative needs your help in filling in the questionnaire, you can offer help. But the answers should be about their experience only.
How can I claim my voucher?
Once you have completed the survey you will be directed to our voucher website, where you can choose from a range of different shopping vouchers.
For detailed instructions, please see our incentives page.
Confidentiality and data protection
Is this survey confidential?
Yes, the information collected in this survey will only be used for research and statistical purposes. No individual or household will be identifiable from the statistics published using the data collected.
Your contact details, which will only be retained for 12 months by Verian for the purposes of administering the survey, will be kept separate from your answers and will not be shared with any organisation outside of Verian or the trusted suppliers who assist in running the survey.
Data from the survey will be shared with DSIT for the purpose of producing and publishing anonymous statistics only. The data shared will not contain your name or email address. This data will include your postcode for the purposes of enabling DSIT to produce anonymous statistics by different areas of geography.
For more information about how we use your data and keep it confidential, you can access the survey privacy policy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dsit-public-engagement-survey-privacy-notice.
Data Protection
Taking part is voluntary and any information you give us will be used only with your consent. Your answers will be processed in compliance with the Data Protection Action 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation.
For more information about how we keep your data safe, click here.
Contact us
If you would like any further details about the survey or have any issues completing the survey you can email us at PESurvey@veriangroup.com or call our dedicated helpline team on 0800 008 3256. Please have your reference number to hand.