Institutions have the option of using institution-specific links, student-specific links, or a combination of both. NSSE Shorts will create the student-links if requested and post those links tot he dashboard for download. However, can also create their own. Instruction for creating students links are below. It is strongly encouraged to submit test data is using student-specific links. NSSE Shorts staff can easily delete any test data.
Survey Link Information
Create Student-Specific Survey Links
Each campus will receive an institution-only specific survey URL in the registration approval email. However, institutions also have the option to create and distribute student-specific links which will allow NSSE Shorts to capture an identifier directly from the URL itself. A campus can also use both URL formats. For example, an institution may use student-specific links for its first-year students and institution-only specific links for all other students.
Creating the Student-Specific Links
The institution survey URL will look something like this:
https://surveys.iucpr.org/jfe/form/SV_0CkcVrWqQDmAHuC?UNITID=xxxxxx
The highlighted section is the school ID (IPEDS number) that is assigned to the specific college or university. This URL with the school ID is located in the dashboard and in the registration approval email.
You can request that NSSE Shorts creates the student-specific links or you can choose to do it yourself.
- To do it yourself, you will need to append the bolded section below for each student link. In the example below, '1234' is fake the student ID appended to the URL. You can ask your IT department for assistance.
https://surveys.iucpr.org/jfe/form/SV_0CkcVrWqQDmAHuC?UNITID=xxxxxx&id=1234
It is critical that you do not re-order or sort individual columns in you data file after you create the student-specific links. Each URL is now assigned to a specific student. You need to make sure that the correct URL is being sent to the correct student and email. - To request NSSE Shorts to create the links, upload an Excel file that contains the fake student ID's and any grouping variables you want associated with that students' response (up to 3 grouping variables; see upload template). Do not send NSSE Shorts real student IDs in your file. There is a file drop-box in Registration and Administration dashboard page. Once we have the file, we will create the unique survey links and post them in the NSSE Shorts dashboard where you will be able to download the file. As students complete the survey, they will be removed from the download file that contains the student links. This allows you to easily follow-up with non-respondents.
Important!
The accuracy of the student identifier in the URL is critical. The survey will record whatever identifier is passed through the URL. If there is an identifier mismatch in the URLs you distribute, that mismatch will carry through to the data NSSE Shorts collects.
NSSE Shorts strongly recommends submitting test data prior to launching your administration. NSSE Shorts can easily delete any test submissions. NSSE Shorts is not responsible for any student ID matching errors.
Duplicate Submissions
Using the student-specific links will also reduce the chance of duplicate submissions. However, there may be a chance that a student can submit the survey twice. When that happens the student ID you assigned will show up twice. NSSE Shorts can easily delete the duplicate if the institution chooses.
NSSE Shorts survey also utilizes "cookies" to reduce duplicate submissions from a student using the same device. This cookie will allow the student to return to the survey using the same device within one week and complete the survey from where they left off if. The students will see a message that they already completed the survey if they try to return after completing.