How do you create and administer your web surveys?
We use a software package that interfaces with FileMaker Pro Unlimited and Server versions. It runs on either Windows or Apple systems, and we use the Apple version.

Here are some highlights: Items can be a variety of types (e.g., text, single-choice, Likert-type, etc.); you can require no passwords or unique passwords; data can be exported for use in other applications, such as SPSS or Access; branching can be done. We are able to send personalized e-mail notes, but we sometimes use other software to accomplish this.

Consistent with any survey research, a project's success depends on several factors: the purpose, identifying the question and population, valid and reliable items, planning and testing, and multiple follow-ups, which might include contact by paper and/or phone.

How do I download and open reports and results? Why is one PDF and the other RTF?
Results are usually saved in two formats: one is PDF for Adobe Acrobat and the other is RTF for Rich Text Format. RTF is a text file, so you can open it with any word processor. It also enables special software to read a file's contents for persons with visual disabilities.

To view reports in PDF format, click the link in the PDF column. The file will either automatically open in Acrobat Reader or you can save it to your computer and then open it.  If you do not have Acrobat Reader, download it at the Acrobat Reader download page. The file is about 4.5 MB to download.  Acrobat Reader is a plug-in for your web browser and allows you to see PDF files, which are very common.

To view reports in RTF format, click the link in the RTF column.  The file can be opened in any word processor, such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. You can open the file directly from the web or save it to your computer and then open it.  Most text files are 'zipped' to reduce size, and they can be unzipped simply by double-clicking them once they are downloaded. If you do not have WinZip, you can download the free evaluation version at the WinZip download page. The file is about 2 MB to download. Zip files are also common.