# Frequently asked questions > Answers to the questions researchers asked about Verasight Self-Serve, from cost and question counts to weights, data files, and citing your sample. Source: https://www.verasight.io/docs/help/faq 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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/build-your-survey#program-your-survey-with-doc2survey-optional). You pay per survey, at the [Payment & Launch step](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/pricing-and-payment#pay-in-self-serve). To pay by [purchase order or invoice](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/pricing-and-payment#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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/what-a-survey-can-include#count-your-questions). ### 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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/what-a-survey-can-include). 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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/profile-variables#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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/profile-variables#geography) 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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/survey-weights#weighting-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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/your-data-file#what-is-in-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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/fielding-and-sample-size) takes 48 to 72 hours. Your weights and profile variables are typically [ready a couple of days](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/survey-weights#when-weights-arrive) after your survey finishes fielding. If you get more responses than you ordered, the [extra responses](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/fielding-and-sample-size#extra-responses) are free. ### What are the standard deliverables? Your survey responses stay in your own survey platform. We send you a [data file](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/your-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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/choose-a-sample-type#voter-file-appends) for an additional fee. Through [custom research](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/choose-a-sample-type#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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/recruitment-and-verification#recruitment-channels) through random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting. We [verify each panelist's mobile phone number](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/recruitment-and-verification#phone-number-verification). You can also choose [Validated Voters](https://www.verasight.io/docs/run-your-study/choose-a-sample-type), 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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/recruitment-and-verification#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](https://www.verasight.io/docs/data-and-methods/describe-your-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.