webSurvent capabilities
Here's a sample of web survey capabilities available in webSurvent.
Complex skip and choose logic:
Complex skip and choose procedures ensure that respondents answer only those elements and questions for which they are qualified to be shown and answered.
inclusions and exclusions:
Based on a previous question(s) or sample qualifications, respondents will be presented with a list that either includes or excludes elements or variables.
full rotation of elements within and amongst screens:
For example, a long list of variables can be presented within a 10-point rating scale. Those variables can be rotated even though the variables are on several different screens. Say there were 10 variables being rated per 3 screens. This would equate to 30 variables being rotated within and amongst 3 screens.
text and response piping & back referencing:
Respondent information can be displayed from information collected in a previous question or contained in the database or sample file.
For example, if a car make and model are predefined in the database or sample file, the survey can reference a specific make and model for a specific respondent.
Or, if a respondent was asked what kind of make and model they own, that make and model combination could be specifically referenced throughout the survey.
full quota control
Complex quota control:
Quotas can be used to choose the least selected item from a list to control the distribution of responses presented for follow-up questions. A minimum selection procedure can be used for on-screen presentation of lists or elements from lists.
quota-driven web surveys:
Sample variables in combination with survey responses can be used to determine quotas. Information collected in a survey and/or pre-existing in a database or sample file allows respondents to be segmented thus fulfilling sampling requirements.
For example, quotas can be based off of car make and model. If a quota is filled for a specific make and model, respondents with those makes and models could be terminated or counted toward another quota. Accurate sampling can preserve the sample pool while also decreasing incentive commitments (incentives are not diluted as only eligible sample complete a survey).
multiple constant sum questions:
Multiple constant sums can be presented on a single screen. Totals are updated onscreen and in real-time.
other complex logic instructions:
- Complex selection procedure
- Conjoint surveys requiring complex algorithms
- Discrete Choice analysis
- Adaptive Conjoint
multiple languages:
CfMC surveys may be delivered in all browser-supported languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish, German, etc. Respondents can pick a language, suspend in that language, and resume in another language.
For instance, if a respondent prefers to view the survey in Korean because they find the English versions too complex, that respondent can suspend the survey in English and then start up again in Korean. Once the respondent completes the survey, they cannot complete the survey for a second time; one password, one complete.
real-time error checking:
Full screen control of error message text, required responses per question / per screen, and types of variables on screen (text, numeric, and field questions).
Error checking is customizable by question and by screen: Error messages can be turned on or off depending on the requirements of a survey's specifications. For example gender but not age can be a required response on a demographic screen.
displaying error messages: webSurvent
error-checking will display an error message specific to each question and/or attribute on a given screen. Messages will be displayed at the top of the screen and below each incorrectly answered question and/or attribute. If a question is very complex, a new screen will be shown describing the error in detail.
error message statements can be customized by question: Error messages are both generated by WebSurvent and/or through logic checks. In either case the error message text displayed can be customized. Each screen can be customized to allow any combination of required and non-required field:. For example, a time-field can be set to allow hours, day, weeks, months or refused (5 total fields with blanks allowed in any of the 4 out of 5 total fields).
sample-driven web surveys:
Information in the database or sample file can be used to drive the path that a respondent goes through a survey. For example, if make and model are predefined in the database or sample file, respondents who own certain makes and models would follow a path through the survey specific to those makes and models.
manual suspend & resume:
Respondents can suspend at anytime. Respondents who suspend a web survey in progress by using the "Suspend" button can resume at anytime from where they last left off. When an individual respondent reenters the survey by clicking on their unique hotlink located in the original e-mail invitation or reminder notice, they return directly to where they last left off (our findings show that 10%-40% of respondents use this "Suspend" feature depending on length of survey).
Note: although CfMC does not recommend removing our suspend-resume feature, this feature can be switched on an off throughout the survey.
auto suspend-resume:
Respondents who accidentally shut down their browsers in the middle of a web survey are "Auto Suspended" through WebSurvent. These respondents can also return to the web survey from where they last left off. In addition, if a respondent's browser crashes as browsers sometimes do, the respondent can click on the link in their e-mail invitation or go directly back to the survey's URL address and return directly to where they last left off.
status bar and scrolling progress:
Respondents can see how far they've gone through a web survey or how far they have to go to complete a web survey. This feature can also be suppressed.
backing-up through the survey:
Respondents are normally allowed to back-up through the survey. Backing-up can be prevented at any point in the survey as it is programmatically controlled.

