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The Survey Synchronization function checks all surveys associated with the current panel, and updates the panel if/when there are changes. This function keeps the panel data up-to-date so samples can be selected appropriately.
For example: If a panelist is sent a survey and responds immediately, then the panel database can be updated such that the panelist is made available to be sent another survey. If on the other hand the panelist does not respond, then that person will not be available for further surveys until a predefined time after the current survey closes.
Note: The survey rule used to synchronize the database must have Survey Database (Synchronization) as the source and Panel Database as the target (go to Survey Database - Synchronization for more information).
Important
Surveys using batch statusing must include three “background” variables, named 'JobNumber' 'RunNumber' and 'PanelistId'. They must be added as background variables in the survey tree, and they must be included in the fields uploaded in the sample/job. JobNumber should be an open question node with a suitable field width set, while RunNumber and PanelistId must be numerical open questions with a suitable number of digits.
You can set the time interval for the synchronization function as required. Note that several rules depend on this Survey Synchronization task to be run (go to Creating a New Survey Rule Template for more information).
- Go to the Panel Utilities > Survey Sync menu command.
- Type in a comment as appropriate, and select whether you wish to run the task as soon as possible or to schedule it for later execution (if you schedule for execution later, you can set up a recurring task).
- Click OK.
The dialog shown in the figure below opens - .
Figure 1 - The Launch Survey Synchronization Task dialog
If you have selected to run the task as soon as possible, then the task is added to the queue. If you have selected to run the task later, then the Recurrence Pattern dialog opens.
Closing Surveys
If a job arrives at its specified closing date and the survey to which the job is associated can be closed, Survey Sync will close the survey automatically.
If an open survey is closed manually, Survey Sync will update the job such that it is no longer in production.