Optimizing Survey Responses with Alida Quotas

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is a Quota?
3. Why Use Quotas in a Survey?
4. Setting up Quotas
   • 4.1 Creating a New Quota
   • 4.2 Applying Additional Quota Criteria
   • 4.3 Using Quota Criteria Based on Survey Responses
   • 4.4 Entry Quota vs In-Survey Quota
5. Implementing Quotas with Survey Logic
6. Testing and Monitoring Quotas
7. Resetting Quota Count
8. Over Quota Responses in Reporting
9. Conclusion
10. Resources and Help Center

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the concept of using quotas in a survey. Quotas play an essential role in gathering the required amount of data for a study. They let You set limits on the number of participants who can complete a survey or answer specific questions. Quotas can help ensure that your survey results reflect ideal and balanced proportions. By implementing quotas effectively, you can avoid the need for excessive weighting, which could unintentionally skew your results.

What is a Quota?

A quota is a restriction on the number of participants who can complete a survey or provide responses to specific questions. By setting quotas, you can control the amount of data you Collect and ensure it meets your study objectives. Quotas can be based on various criteria, such as demographic information, respondent locale, or survey-specific variables. They allow you to define the exact number of participants you need for each category or subgroup.

Why Use Quotas in a Survey?

1. Gathering Required Data: Quotas help you collect the precise amount of data needed for your study. Whether you want to limit the number of participants receiving incentives or ensure you receive a balanced proportion of responses, quotas allow you to control the data collection process effectively.

2. Avoiding Over-Reliance on Weighting: By using quotas, you can minimize the reliance on weighting techniques to adjust your survey results. Overuse of weighting can introduce bias or inaccuracies. Quotas help you collect the desired data upfront, reducing the need for extensive post-survey adjustments.

Setting up Quotas

4.1 Creating a New Quota

To Create a new quota, navigate to the Quotas tab within the survey builder. You'll find a list of any active quotas. Click the "New Quota" button in the upper right corner to begin setting up your quota. Give your quota a Meaningful name and set the desired quota target.

4.2 Applying Additional Quota Criteria

In addition to the quota target, you can Apply additional quota criteria. These criteria can be based on survey responses or respondent variables such as display Type or respondent locale. Profile variables are not available when defining additional quota criteria. However, you can refer to the product help documentation for tips and workarounds to use profile variables with your quotas effectively.

4.3 Using Quota Criteria based on Survey Responses

You can specify quota criteria based on specific survey responses. For example, if you only want to receive a certain number of responses from desktop users, you can select the "Display Type" respondent variable and define the quota criteria accordingly. The quota count will increment when participants who meet the criteria complete the survey.

4.4 Entry Quota vs In-Survey Quota

There are two ways to implement quotas within your survey based on the timing and purpose of the quota:

• Entry Quota: An entry quota restricts participants from starting the survey if the quota is already full. This is useful when you want to limit the total number of respondents for the entire survey. You can set the entry quota at the beginning of the survey without requiring additional criteria.

• In-Survey Quota: An in-survey quota prevents participants from completing specific questions or sections within the survey if the quota is full. This type of quota is helpful when you want to collect a specific number of responses for certain questions or subgroups. Place the in-survey quota after the respective question in the survey and set up the criteria accordingly.

Implementing Quotas with Survey Logic

To implement quotas within your survey, you need to use the Survey Logic feature. Select the Survey Logic action from the toolbox and drag-and-drop it into the table of Contents. If you already have a Survey Logic action in place, you can add the quota to the existing logic. Set up the survey logic by specifying the source of the rule and selecting the Relevant quota. In the if/then statement, define the action to be taken if the quota criteria are met. For example, you can direct participants to an "End Survey" element once the quota is fulfilled.

Testing and Monitoring Quotas

To test a quota, return to the Quotas tab and enter a value in the Quota Count (Test) field. This setting determines which test completed responses will count towards the quota. You can preview the survey to ensure the quota has been set up successfully. To monitor the quota count, check the counts displayed on the Quotas tab. The left number reflects the quota count, while the right number indicates the quota target. When the quota count reaches its target, both numbers turn green.

Resetting Quota Count

If necessary, you can reset or start the live quota count from a specific completion number. This option is useful when you need to make changes to a live survey and republish it, requiring a fresh start for the quota count.

Over Quota Responses in Reporting

In the reporting phase, you can view and analyze any over quota responses. Select the "Over Quota" option in the data display options to access these responses separately. Understanding the number and nature of over quota responses can provide insights into the limitations and challenges faced during the survey.

Conclusion

Quotas are valuable tools in survey research that enable precise control over data collection. By setting quotas, you can ensure you Gather the required amount of data while maintaining ideal proportions and reducing reliance on weighting techniques. Use the features and options provided by Alida to implement quotas effectively in your surveys and achieve reliable and accurate results.

Resources and Help Center

To learn more about using quotas in surveys and access additional self-help resources, visit our Help Center. Click on the user account icon in the top right corner of your Alida account to access the Help Center and find comprehensive guides and documentation.

Highlights

• Quotas in surveys enable precise control over data collection.
• Quotas help gather the required amount of data while maintaining ideal proportions.
• Using quotas reduces reliance on post-survey weighting adjustments.
• Quotas can be based on various criteria, including survey responses and respondent variables.
• Entry quotas and in-survey quotas serve different purposes and can be implemented accordingly.
• Survey Logic is used to implement quotas within a survey.
• Quotas can be tested and monitored to ensure accurate data collection.
• Over quota responses provide valuable insights and can be accessed in reporting.
• Alida offers comprehensive self-help resources in the Help Center.

FAQ

Q: Can I create multiple quotas within the same survey? A: Yes, you can create multiple quotas within a single survey. This allows you to collect different amounts of data based on specific criteria or subgroups.

Q: Can I change the quota criteria after the survey has started? A: It is generally recommended to set up and finalize your quotas before launching the survey. However, if necessary, you can make changes to your quotas during the survey, but it's crucial to consider the potential impact on your data and reporting.

Q: Can I set up quotas based on multiple survey questions or variables? A: Yes, you can define quota criteria based on multiple survey questions or variables. This allows you to create more targeted quotas that align with your study objectives.

Q: How often should I monitor the quota counts during my survey? A: It's a good practice to regularly monitor the quota counts during your survey to ensure they are progressing as expected. This will help you identify any issues or discrepancies early on and make necessary adjustments if needed.

Q: Can I apply quotas to specific sections or pages within a survey? A: Although quotas are typically applied to the entire survey or specific questions, it is not possible to apply quotas to specific sections or pages within a survey using Alida. Quotas are designed to control the overall data collection process.