Social sciences researchers often need to collect anonymous research data and identifying information in the same online survey. While it may seem like a contradiction, PsychData makes it possible.
Step 1: Getting Started
Firstly, you will need to create two surveys. In our example, we’ll call them Survey One and Survey Two. (Refer to “Create a Survey Manual” to review how to create surveys and how to use folders, like the example below, to keep the account’s surveys organized.)
- Survey One will contain your anonymous research questions.
- Survey Two other will contain identifying information.
Step 2: Add Questions
As mentioned before, Survey One needs to contain all of your anonymous research questions and Survey Two needs to contain all of the questions that ask for identifying information.
Step 3: Link the Surveys
Open the survey containing your anonymous research questions. For our purposes that is Survey One. Click on the Settings Icon on the left-hand side of the screen.
This will redirect you to the “Settings” page, pictured below.
Scroll down until the section of the “Settings” page that says “Survey Complete” is visible.
Click on the dropdown below the words “Completion Action” and the dropdown will appear.
Select “Direct Survey Linking” from the dropdown options.
When you’ve selected “Direct Survey Linking” the panel below the “Completion Actions” dropdown will change to reflect the choice of “Direct Survey Linking.” Another Dropdown will appear.
Select the survey you want to redirect the participant to, for our purposes Survey Two.
From the participants’ point of view Survey One will blend seamlessly into Survey Two. However, since the surveys are separate, they will generate two separate and unlinked data files. Survey One’s data file will contain the anonymous research data and Survey Two’s data file will contain the identifying contact information.
These files are downloaded separately which saves a lot of time since it cuts out the need to strip the identifying information from the research data.
Thus, PsychData enables you to:
- ensure that participants complete the research survey before providing their contact information
- gather anonymous research data
- collect identifying or contact information at the same time that can be used for tracking class credit or registering for an incentive.