Research Survey Tool allows researchers to create, develop and distribute an online survey.
Research Survey Tool is a Griffith installed copy of a survey application called LimeSurvey. LimeSurvey is a web-based tool that features functionality such as a wide variety of question types, automatic redirects based on conditions, automated invitations, and quick visualisation of responses.
Griffith hosts a secure installation of Limesurvey for use by university researchers, where all survey data collected is stored on Griffith servers and administered by the eResearch & Specialised Platforms Team.
Research Survey Tool Login
Research Survey Tool uses Griffith credentials to authenticate login. At first, Griffith users won't have a Research Survey Tool account. Upon logging into Research Survey Tool for the first-time using Griffith credentials; the account will be automatically created. An account is required so that users can be added to the permissions of other surveys.
LimeSurvey Manual
The LimeSurvey Manual is an invaluable tool that can guide you through creating and managing a survey. The LimeSurvey Manual is a user-driven Wiki which can be edited by you or anyone else - if you find something missing or incorrect, you can help to fix it. There is a search box on the LimeSurvey Manual in the upper right corner that’ll help users find the information they are after.
The LimeSurvey Manual also contains a helpful “Quick start” guide. Note that any information related to creating an account or logging in is not relevant while using the Griffith Research Survey Tool.
Griffith Research Survey Tool Tips
Research Survey Tool has additional customization that won’t be found within the LimeSurvey Manual. These changes have been implemented to comply with Griffith security policies.
Survey permissions can be updated allowing other users to access different surveys.
Only Griffith staff and students who have a Research Survey Tool user account can be added as collaborators on a survey (see Research Survey Tool Login). Due to naming limitations, the names of users aren't always displayed – sometimes only Griffith “s” Numbers are visible.
If you're unable to find a collaborator in the list of users, you'll need to ask that person to log in to Research Survey Tool so that a Research Survey Tool account is created. After they've signed in for the first time, their "s" number will appear in the user list.
If the collaborator is external to Griffith they'll need to obtain a Griffith account by having their Griffith supervisor complete a request for visitor access.
View 'Set permissions for a single survey' for the detailed LimeSurvey Manual instructions.
NOTE: The creation of new User Groups have been disabled on the Research Survey Tool to decrease the chances of accidentally adding the wrong collaborators to the surveys.
Survey randomisation creates a custom URL that automatically directs participants to one of two or more surveys. The URL is created through the Randomisation button which is visible on the top right hand menu.
A survey randomisation URL can be created by navigating to the Randomisation page and clicking the Add a new group button. The button is visible on the left, under the two paragraphs of text. The next page will contain the settings for the randomisation URL and below each option is a description of what the setting does.
The created randomisation URL will not work unless each survey listed in the Randomisation has been activated. It is not possible to delete a created randomisation. You can make as many randomisations as you like and disable any that you don't use.
Research Survey Tool is to be used to collect research data. Before publishing and activating a survey, you will need to have received Ethics approval.
Please visit the Human Research Ethics Website for more information before creating a survey.
Research Survey Tool is subject to the Griffith University IT Code of Practice.
This platform is not to be used for school or business feedback surveys. If you want to undertake staff or student surveys, please refer to the Surveys page.
When you list all your surveys, you may notice an additional tab also called Survey groups. This tab is used by the Research Survey Tool administrators and is not accessible by general users. Opening the Survey groups tab may produce an error message. Navigate back or open Research Survey Tool to remove the error. Survey Groups are also not related to User Groups (see Working with collaborators).
Survey Support and Tips
Workshops are held by the Research Education Development (RED) team and upcoming workshops can be viewed on their calendar.
For general questions or help with your surveys and the survey structure the Library can be contacted through the Library support form.
Griffith provides access to several survey tools. The Create and Capture page contains additional information to help you decide which tool is best for your projects needs.
If the listed alternatives are not suitable for your research project’s needs or you have another service in mind. It is recommended to contact eResearch Support to discuss alternatives. Based on your projects requirements; alternative solutions might need to go through a Cyber Security IT Project Review. Submitting a request as early as you can is the recommendation as approval can be a lengthy process.
Surveys that are distributed internally to staff or students use a different application. Approval to conduct the surveys is also required. Additional information and support can be found on the Surveys website.
Surveys are susceptible to bot responses that provide false information in order to receive an incentive. Surveys advertised on social media or offering incentives, such as gift cards, are particularly vulnerable to these malicious bots.
One solution to prevent bot responses is the use of a CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart). CAPTCHAs are challenge-response authentication systems that require participants to complete a simple puzzle before accessing the survey. This security measure effectively stops most bots from providing false information.
LimeSurvey offers a built-in CAPTCHA function that can be activated in the Publication & Access settings. Please note that the CAPTCHA will only work if the survey has been activated.
Contact us
eResearch enquiries
If you wish to log a support request, you can call the IT help desk
Gold Coast Campus: Room 4.41, Learning Commons (G11)
Nathan Campus: Room 1.23 , Willett Centre (N53)
Logan Campus: Room 2.29, Wayne Goss Centre (L03)
Request Help from eResearch and Specialised Platforms support team
