Qualtrics Survey System

Using the Survey Mailer to Control Access to Your Survey

With the Qualtrics Survey System, you have the ability to control the number of times that each individual can access your survey. The options are either single response or multiple responses per participant. Along with these two options, you can also control the settings so that participants are identifiable or anonymous. This document will show you how to restrict your survey to single responses as well as enable multiple responses per participant.

By restricting survey responses to one per participant, you prevent ballot box stuffing which is when a user completes a survey multiple times. For certain surveys, having a user participate more than once can skew the results. In restricting the responses to each survey to one per participant, you can also choose either to have the users identified or allow users anonymous access.

Qualtrics has a setting to allow participants to take the same survey over and over again if they wish. For some surveys, having multiple responses from the same individual has no negative effects on the overall results. Along with allowing multiple responses from the same individuals, you can also have the users identified or allow users anonymous access to your survey.

Restricting Responses to One per Participant, Identified
Restricting Responses to One per Participant, Anonymous
Enabling Multiple Responses per Participant, Identified
Enabling Multiple Responses per Participant, Anonymous

Restricting Responses to One per Participant, Identified

The results of this survey are not anonymous and will be associated with the user's email address and any other information provided. With this option, since the user is identified, unfinished surveys can be completed at a later time. Also, this option is only used with a panel.

NOTE: You must create and activate a survey before you can access the Distribute Survey tab options.

From the My Surveys tab, in the Tasks column, for the desired survey, click SEND
The Distribute Survey tab options appear.
From the Distribute Survey options, click SEND SURVEY
Select the Survey Mailer tab
To the right, click ADVANCED OPTIONS
The Advanced Options dialog box appears.
From the Survey Link Type pull-down menu, select Individual Link
OPTIONAL: From the other pull-down menus and text box options, choose your desired options
Click OK
Continue with step 6 of Distributing Your Survey: Using the Survey Mailer.

Restricting Responses to One per Participant, Anonymous

With this option, the survey can be taken by anyone with access to the link, but only one response per user is allowed. Results will not be associated with the user's email address or any other information that may have been provided.

NOTE: You must create and activate a survey before you can access the Distribute Survey tab options.

From the My Surveys tab, in the Tasks column, for the desired survey, click EDIT
The Edit Survey tab options appear.
From the Edit Survey options, click SURVEY OPTIONS
The Survey Options dialog box appears.
Select Prevent Ballot Box Stuffing
NOTE: The option is selected when a checkmark appears.
Click SAVE CHANGES
Select the Distribute Survey tab
From the Distribute Survey options, click SEND SURVEY
Select the Survey Mailer tab
To the right, click ADVANCED OPTIONS
The Advanced Options dialog box appears.
From the Survey Link Type pull-down menu, select Anonymous Link
OPTIONAL: To send a test email,
1. Select Send a test email now
  NOTE: The option is selected when a checkmark appears.
2. In the Email text box, type in the desired email address
Click OK
Continue with step 6 of Distributing Your Survey: Using the Survey Mailer.

Allowing Multiple Responses per Participant, Identified

With this option, users can take the survey more than once. Keep in mind though that the results for these surveys are not anonymous and will be associated with the user's email address.

NOTE: You must create and activate a survey before you can access the Distribute Survey tab options.

From the My Surveys tab, in the Tasks column, for the desired survey, click SEND
The Distribute Survey tab options appear.
From the Distribute Survey options, click SEND SURVEY
Select the Survey Mailer tab
To the right, click ADVANCED OPTIONS
The Advanced Options dialog box appears.
From the Survey Link Type pull-down menu, select Multiple Completes Per Link
OPTIONAL: To send a test email,
1. Select Send a test email now
  NOTE: The option is selected when a checkmark appears.
2. In the Email text box, type in the desired email address
Click OK
Continue with step 6 of Distributing Your Survey: Using the Survey Mailer.

Allowing Multiple Responses per Participant, Anonymous

These types of surveys can be taken by anyone with access to the survey link and can be taken multiple times by the same individuals. Results will not be associated with the user's email address.

From the My Surveys tab, in the Tasks column, for the desired survey, click EDIT
The Edit Survey tab options appear.
From the Edit Survey options, click SURVEY OPTIONS
The Survey Options dialog box appears.
Deselect Prevent Ballot Box Stuffing
NOTE: The option is deselected when the checkmark disappears.
Click SAVE CHANGES
Select the Distribute Survey tab
From the Distribute Survey options, click SEND SURVEY
Select the Survey Mailer tab
To the right, click ADVANCED OPTIONS
The Advanced Options dialog box appears.
From the Survey Link Type pull-down menu, select Anonymous Link
OPTIONAL: To send a test email,
1. Select Send a test email now
  NOTE: The option is selected when a checkmark appears.
2. In the Email text box, type in the desired email address
Click OK
Continue with step 6 of Distributing Your Survey: Using the Survey Mailer.