PaperSurvey supports anonymous pre/post surveys that track changes while maintaining respondent privacy. This feature is essential for measuring the impact of interventions, training programs, or treatments.

Understanding pre/post survey requirements

Pre/post surveys need to:

• Link responses from the same person across time points
• Maintain complete anonymity
• Handle varying response rates between pre and post phases
• Support flexible distribution methods

Choose your method based on your needs

We offer four proven methods for implementing pre/post surveys. Select based on your sample size, distribution constraints, and technical requirements.

Method 1: Single survey with unique page marking (recommended)

Best for: Most scenarios where you can control distribution

How it works

1. Create one survey containing both pre and post questions
2. Enable unique page marking in survey settings
3. Print copies and separate pre/post sections into different envelopes
4. Distribute pre-survey first, post-survey later
5. Upload responses separately - PaperSurvey automatically links matching IDs

Advantages

• Automatic linking with no manual work
• Handles any time gap between pre and post
• Supports batch processing
• Most reliable method

Important note

If you prefer not using unique page marking, scan both pre and post responses in the same PDF file for proper linking.

Method 2: Single survey without unique marking

Best for: Situations where photocopying might be needed

How it works

1. Create one survey with both pre and post questions
2. Download PDF and manually split into pre-survey.pdf and post-survey.pdf
3. Print both parts with matching quantities
4. Distribute pre-surveys first
5. Ask respondents to keep their pre-survey until post distribution
6. Collect and scan both parts together in one file

Advantages

• Allows photocopying if needed
• Simple distribution process
• No special settings required

Limitations

• Requires respondents to retain papers
• Both parts must be scanned together

Method 3: Two surveys with identifier field

Best for: Maximum flexibility or existing ID systems

How it works

1. Create separate pre and post surveys
2. Add a number field for identifier entry in both
3. Generate unique identifiers (e.g., 1001, 1002, 1003...)
4. Distribute identifiers to respondents
5. Export data separately and merge using identifiers

Advantages

• Works with existing participant ID systems
• Surveys can be completely different
• Flexible timing and distribution

Considerations

• Requires manual data merging
• Participants must remember their identifier
• Risk of transcription errors

Method 4: Two surveys without linking

Best for: When individual tracking isn't required

How it works

1. Create separate pre and post surveys
2. Distribute and collect independently
3. Analyze aggregate changes only

Limitations

• No paired statistical analyses possible
• Cannot track individual progress
• Only suitable for group-level comparisons

Best practices for pre/post surveys

Design considerations

• Keep surveys concise to improve completion rates
• Use identical question wording in both phases
• Include clear instructions about the two-phase process
• Consider adding a "phase identifier" question as backup

Distribution tips

• Educational settings: Distribute through instructors who can ensure proper collection
• Clinical trials: Use sealed envelopes with participant numbers
• Corporate training: Email reminders with clear deadlines
• Community programs: Provide incentives for completing both phases

Common challenges and solutions

Challenge: Low post-survey return rate Solution: Send reminders, emphasize importance, consider incentives

Challenge: Mismatched pre/post responses Solution: Use Method 1 with unique marking for automatic matching

Challenge: Long gap between phases Solution: Methods 1 and 3 handle any time gap effectively

Technical tips

1. Test your chosen method with a small pilot group
2. Document your process for team members
3. Plan for non-responses - typically 20-30% don't complete both phases
4. Export data promptly after each phase for backup

Choosing the right method

• Method 1: Choose when you need reliable, automated matching
• Method 2: Select when simplicity and photocopying capability matter
• Method 3: Use when you have existing ID systems or need maximum flexibility
• Method 4: Only when individual tracking truly isn't needed

Most users find Method 1 provides the best balance of reliability and ease of use.