Setting up an anonymous linked pre/post survey is a valuable technique for comparing a respondent's responses before and after a specific event or intervention. This is especially useful for tracking changes and progress over time. The choice of method for linking responses depends on your sample size and specific needs. Below, we present four suggested methods to conduct pre and post-surveys:

Method 1: Single Survey with Unique Page Marking

• Create a single survey in PaperSurvey.io that includes both pre and post questions.
  1. Generate as many copies as necessary and print them.
  2. Distribute both pre and post surveys to participants, ensuring that they won't see the questions for the other phase (consider separating each copy into two envelopes).
  3. Use unique page marking when participants complete the survey. This allows you to scan and upload responses separately. For example, upload pre-survey responses first and then post-survey responses later. PaperSurvey.io will automatically link the responses.
  4. If you do not want to use unique page marking, scan both the pre and post surveys in the same file.

Method 2: Single Survey without Unique Page Marking

• Create a single survey in PaperSurvey.io that includes both pre and post questions but disable unique page marking.
  1. Download the survey in a PDF file and split it in half: pre-survey.pdf and post-survey.pdf. Then print pre and post surveys.
  2. Initially, distribute only the pre-survey to participants and ask them to keep the papers until the post-survey is given.
  3. When you are ready to administer the post-survey, ask participants to return both surveys - pre and post.
  4. Scan both the pre and post surveys in the same file.

Method 3: Two Surveys with Identifier Field

• Create two surveys in PaperSurvey.io and add a number field for participants to enter an identifier.
  1. Generate random identifiers and distribute one to each participant. They should use this identifier in both the pre and post surveys.
  2. After exporting the data, the results will be separated into two surveys in PaperSurvey.io. Merge the responses based on the common identifier, allowing you to link the pre and post data effectively.

Method 4: Two Surveys - No Linked Data

• Create two separate surveys in PaperSurvey.io for the pre and post phases, but do not establish a direct link between the two sets of responses.
  1. Exclude the identifier field.
  2. Keep in mind that when responses are not linked, you may encounter limitations in using certain statistical methods for data analysis. This method should only be employed when Method 1 and Method 2 are not feasible or necessary.

These methods offer flexibility in managing anonymous linked pre/post surveys, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your research requirements and sample size. PaperSurvey.io provides the tools you need to streamline the process and gain valuable insights from your data.