These are the questions researchers asked during our webinar on Verasight Self-Serve, with the answers our team gave.
#Account and cost
#Does it cost anything to create an account, or do I pay per survey?
Creating an account is free, and so is Doc2Survey. You pay per survey, at the Payment & Launch step.
To pay by purchase order or invoice, email research@verasight.io before you launch.
#Building your survey
#What are matrix items?
A matrix item is one row in a grid of questions that share the same answer choices. For example, five statements that each use a scale from "Strongly disagree" to "Strongly agree" can sit in one grid instead of five separate questions. Every 3 items in a grid count as a single question unit.
#Do you review my questionnaire before it is fielded?
We do not automatically review your questionnaire. As a guide, if you would be comfortable taking the survey yourself, or having a friend take it, we likely are too. If your study covers a sensitive topic, email research@verasight.io.
#Can I run a conjoint experiment?
You program your survey in your own survey platform, so its design is up to you within the survey rules. If you are planning a conjoint experiment, email research@verasight.io to confirm it fits.
#Sample and demographics
#Do I need to ask demographic questions, such as gender and age?
No. Every sample includes our standard demographic profile variables, including gender and age group, at no extra charge.
#Can I use Self-Serve if a demographic question I need is not in the standard set?
Yes. Add any other demographic questions you need to your own survey.
#How is region measured?
Region is the four-category Census region: Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Your data file does not include state. If your institutional review board (IRB) allows it, you can ask for a more specific location in your own survey.
#Survey weights
#Which surveys are weighted, and on which variables?
Nationally Representative and Validated Voters surveys of 250 or more respondents include survey weights, at no extra charge. Nationally Representative weights use eight variables: age, education, race and ethnicity, income, Census region, metropolitan status, party identification, and 2024 vote. Validated Voters surveys are weighted to registered-voter benchmarks.
Your data file has a single weight column, named weight. The weights average 1 across respondents.
#Data delivery
#How long does it take to get my data?
We estimate that fielding takes 48 to 72 hours. Your weights and profile variables are typically ready a couple of days after your survey finishes fielding.
If you get more responses than you ordered, the extra responses are free.
#What are the standard deliverables?
Your survey responses stay in your own survey platform. We send you a data file with each respondent's vsid, our standard profile variables, and, on weighted surveys, a weight column. The download is a ZIP file with the same data in four formats: comma-separated values (.csv), Stata (.dta), R (.rds), and SPSS (.sav).
On Validated Voters surveys, you can add voter file data for an additional fee.
Through custom research, we can also provide cross tabs, white-labeled reporting, and survey programming.
#Respondents and quality
#What sets Verasight apart?
Every respondent comes from our own panel. We recruit panelists through random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting.
We verify each panelist's mobile phone number. You can also choose Validated Voters, a sample of panelists matched to the L2 voter file.
#How can I be sure my respondents are real people and not bots?
To join our panel, a person needs a US mobile phone number registered with a major carrier. We also run checks during and after surveys, such as tracking how panelists report their demographics over time and limiting how often they take surveys.
#Citing your sample
#Are there documents I can cite for panel recruitment and weighting?
Describe a Verasight sample gives you copy-ready methods and IRB text. If you need a methodology statement or other materials for your IRB, email research@verasight.io.