FreshSpectrum.com
Problem: You want to connect what you already know about a respondent to a new web data collection.
One Solution: URL Variables
URL variables are by no means the only way to pre-populate data but they are one way. The premise is simple, you add data to the end of your survey’s invitation web link giving each respondent a unique URL. When a respondent clicks on the special link not only will they go to the survey, they will also find it pre-populated with data.
The most common use of URL variables is to populate an ID variable. But you can use the method to pre-populate all sorts of questions and even pre-populate hidden variables the respondent will never see. The amount of flexibility you have will depend on the survey application you are using.
My Ignite talk from last November’s AEA conference is now up on the Ignite website! I’m embedding it here if you’re interested. It’s only 5 mins so not much of a time commitment.
Also, speaking of blogging. AEA365′s series on Evaluators who blog continues this week.
In the past few years I’ve been building myself up as a web-savvy researcher and evaluator. I’ve learned a lot in the process; there are tons of problems that have simple solutions if you know where to look. But I have yet to leverage that experience into online success.
In my eyes there are two ways to be successful online. One is to be consistently good, pumping out solid material day after day. Another is to be occasionally exceptional. The creme de la creme is to be both. At best I would say I’m occasionally good.
I hope to change that this year. My plan is to take what I’ve learned and teach it. Take the lessons I usually only give when someone comes to me for help and turn them into tutorials. Create online courses to build up expertise in areas often thought to be too technical. And offer the occasional webinar to answer the kinds of questions I would not think of on my own.
Will I be successful? We’ll answer that question next year…
Happy Holidays! AEA365 is doing a series of posts contributed by evaluators who blog. I have a post coming up on Monday, so I wanted to have a fresh post on here.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Eval Central- Icon Construction January 30, 2012 Stephanie Evergreen
- Pre-populate web surveys using URL variables January 30, 2012 Chris
- Minnesota Wins Race to the Top Grant January 28, 2012 ACET Blog: ACET Team
