Create Online Surveys: A Guide to LimeSurvey
Exploring LimeSurvey for Online Data Collection
During a search for a self-hosted solution for creating online surveys, I discovered LimeSurvey, a powerful open-source script. After evaluating several online survey platforms, I determined that LimeSurvey offered the most effective method for building and deploying self-hosted surveys and questionnaires.
Although my initial experience involved utilizing LimeSurvey as a self-hosted application, the developers have since introduced LimeService, a convenient hosted alternative. This article will concentrate on the self-hosted version, guiding you through the installation process and the creation of your first free online survey.
Preparing for Installation
Prior to commencing the installation, it is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with the official LimeSurvey documentation. This resource provides comprehensive guidance and troubleshooting assistance.
Should you encounter any difficulties or uncertainties regarding specific options or procedures, the documentation wiki serves as an invaluable reference point.
Key Benefits of LimeSurvey
- Open-Source & Free: LimeSurvey is available without licensing costs.
- Self-Hosted: Maintain complete control over your data and survey environment.
- Comprehensive Documentation: Extensive resources are available to assist users.
- Versatile: Suitable for a wide range of survey and questionnaire needs.
LimeSurvey empowers users to gather valuable data efficiently and securely, making it a strong choice for researchers, businesses, and organizations alike.
Setting Up LimeSurvey
The process of installing LimeSurvey closely resembles the installation procedures for other web applications. Begin by downloading the most recent release of the software.
Subsequently, upload the downloaded files to your web server environment.
Configuration and Permissions
Access the config.php file and input your database credentials. Ensure you also configure the necessary directory permissions for proper functionality.
Following this, initiate the installer by navigating to http://yourdomain.com/limesurvey/admin/install within your web browser.
This installer will populate your database with the required structures.
Upon completion, LimeSurvey will be fully installed and ready for use. Should any issues arise during the installation, consult the detailed installation instructions for assistance.
Initiating Your First Survey
After a successful installation of your self-hosted LimeSurvey instance, access to the administration panel is achieved by navigating to your installation directory followed by /admin.
To begin creating a new survey, select the icon positioned adjacent to the Survey drop-down menu. This menu displays a list of all surveys currently available within your system.
You will then be directed to the survey setup screen. Here, you'll input essential details regarding the survey's purpose and the messages intended for participants. Within the various tabs, you can also define access permissions, activation periods, and anonymity settings, among other features. Careful consideration of these settings is crucial, as modifications may be restricted after survey publication.
Upon completing all necessary configurations, click the "Save Survey" button. The subsequent step involves adding groups to structure your survey.
Incorporating Groups
LimeSurvey employs a hierarchical organization. Surveys represent the highest level, containing groups, which in turn house individual questions. Therefore, before adding questions, the creation of a group is required. Groups facilitate survey organization and allow for conditional question presentation to specific participants. They also serve to divide the survey into distinct pages or sections.
To add a new group, simply click the plus symbol located next to "Question Groups" and complete the provided form.
Adding Questions to Your Survey
The next stage involves adding questions to the established groups. Initiate this process by pressing the plus sign within the question group toolbar. As you descend through the hierarchical levels, an additional row of options becomes visible.
This is where you will define your question. Begin by assigning a unique code to the question, such as q1 or your_name if the question requests the participant’s name.
Subsequently, input the question text and any accompanying help text to guide the respondent. While the help text is optional, it is beneficial for clarifying potentially ambiguous questions.
Now, select the appropriate question type from the extensive list provided:
Many of these types are intuitively named, but comprehensive documentation is available should you require further clarification. Once all required fields are populated, click "Save Question" to preserve your work. Depending on the chosen question type, you may need to define attributes or conditions, accessible via the image next to any warning message. LimeSurvey offers considerable power and flexibility.
Following the Established Workflow
Having grasped the fundamental steps, simply replicate the process outlined above to construct your self-hosted survey. Should you encounter any difficulties, please post your question in the comments section, and I will endeavor to assist you. Alternatively, consult the detailed documentation.
After activating your new survey, distribute the link to your intended audience. To review the collected responses, click the "Browse responses to this survey" button. The raw PDF output from LimeSurvey for my recent survey is available for download at my blog.
For context, MakeUseOf's polls are powered by PollDaddy. What survey solution do you prefer?
