University Planning and Analysis
Using Qualtrics to Create Online Surveys

What is Qualtrics? | Creating a Qualtrics Account | Data Security | Learning Qualtrics | UPA Help and Resources

What is Qualtrics?

Qualtrics is an online survey software tool made available free of charge by NC State University Planning and Analysis (UPA) to all faculty, staff and students of NC State University.^[1] Qualtrics is widely used by research universities, government agencies, and private companies and provides an easy to use point-and-click interface where users can create and distribute surveys, collect responses, and analyze the results all in one place. Some of the features of Qualtrics include:

• Over 100 question types within the following categories: multiple choice, matrix tables, text entry, text/graphic, constant sum, rank order, side by side, drill down, timing, and meta information.
• Library of existing surveys, questions, graphics, and messages that users can add to or draw from within.
• Advanced customization of questions such as randomization, skip/display logic, forced response, etc.
• Ability to create blocks and branches to group survey into categories and/or route respondents through survey based on previous responses.
• Ability to upload population files or 'panels' from .csv format into Qualtrics to easily personalize and distribute surveys.
• Multiple distribution options including: Qualtrics e-mailer, customizable survey URL, social media, in-page popup, and website feedback survey.
• Ability to monitor survey progress and send reminder and thank you messages.
• Downloadable response data in various formats: Excel, SPSS, XML, and HTML.
• Ability to create reports, graphs, charts and statistical results of response data.
• Ability to use JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code for advanced customization.

Creating a Qualtrics Account

To log in to Qualtrics or register as a first time user, go to www.ncsu.qualtrics.com. You must have a valid NC State e-mail address to register under the NC State/Qualtrics license agreement.

In order to be able to activate your survey(s), you must fill out a brief form so that UPA can keep a record of our users at NC State. After you create an account in Qualtrics, we will email you the form to complete. Once you complete the form, we will upgrade your account and email you a summary of your account permissions. We email forms and upgrade accounts every Monday and Thursday.

If the default settings do not meet your needs, or if you would like to set up a Group Account for your department, where you can store and share your surveys, messages and panels with other users in your group, please contact Kate Christenbury at 515-6438 or ncsu_surveys@ncsu.edu to request an upgraded account.

Data Security

Qualtrics has SAS 70 Certification and meets the rigorous privacy standards imposed on health care records by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All Qualtrics accounts are hidden behind passwords and all data is protected with real-time data replication. For more information on Qualtrics data security go to www.qualtrics.com/security-statement.

Learning Qualtrics

At NC State, Qualtrics is designed to be a 'do-it-yourself' tool for developing web-surveys. Qualtrics has an extensive training website called "Qualtrics University" where users can visit to learn all about the features and capabilities of the software. At the Qualtrics University site, users can complete a comprehensive online training program and/or just search for individual features by topic. Click here to go to Qualtrics University.

If you have other questions and can't find the answers on Qualtrics University, the quickest way to get a solution is to call the Qualtrics support team at 1-800-340-9194. They have a full staff available to answer questions from 9AM-8PM EST. Alternatively you can email Qualtrics at support@qualtrics.com and questions are usually answered by the end of the day.

UPA Qualtrics Help and Resources

University Planning and Analysis will help as much as possible, but unfortunately we do not have the resources to provide individualized Qualtrics support. To get users started and provide an overview of the basic features of Qualtrics, UPA will offer introductory workshops for faculty, staff and students. Please check back at this page as we post workshop dates and times. For basic assistance in using Qualtrics, contact Kate Christenbury at ncsu_surveys@ncsu.edu or 919-515-6438. As a supplement to Qualtrics University, UPA has created additional reference materials to offer quick tips and tricks for using Qualtrics.

Things to Think About Before Creating a Survey
Edit Survey Tips
Qualtrics Distribution Methods
Using Survey Flow
Handling Partially Completed Surveys
Troubleshooting Survey Access Problems

Click here to download a pdf version of the 'Things to Think About Before Creating a Survey in Qualtrics' document.
Click here to download a pdf version of the complete UPA Qualtrics Reference Guide.

Qualtrics Contact:
Phone: 1-800-340-9194
Web: www.qualtrics.com/contact-us
Email: support@qualtrics.com

UPA Qualtrics Contact:
Kate Christenbury
Phone: 919-515-6438
Email: ncsu_surveys@ncsu.edu

Posted: April 2012

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