Hi everyone,I’m new to Qualtrics and setting up my first longitudinal research study, so I would really appreciate advice on best practices.I will distribute surveys to the same participants 4 times over the course of a year. My current thinking is:Survey 1 would collect demographic and contact information. Surveys 2–4 would only include the repeated study measures/questions. I was planning not to repeat demographic questions or sections that are unlikely to change, mainly to reduce participant burden, survey fatigue, and attrition.However, I’m not sure if this is the best way to structure a longitudinal study in Qualtrics.The study will start with open enrollment using a public link. Ideally, participants would:Complete Survey 1 and provide contact information. Then be invited to complete Surveys 2, 3, and 4 later in the year.I also need all responses across the 4 waves to be linked to the same participant.What are the recommended/best-practice ways to do this in Qualtrics?Specifically:Is it better to create separate surveys for each wave or manage everything within one project? What is the best way to link participant responses over time? Is using contact lists/panels the recommended approach? Are there common pitfalls or better workflows for minimizing attrition and managing follow-up invitations?Any guidance or examples of how others have handled longitudinal studies in Qualtrics would be greatly appreciated.Thank you!

Question

Advice for setting up an open enrollment, 4-wave longitudinal survey

Hi everyone,

I’m new to Qualtrics and setting up my first longitudinal research study, so I would really appreciate advice on best practices.

I will distribute surveys to the same participants 4 times over the course of a year. My current thinking is:

Survey 1 would collect demographic and contact information.
Surveys 2–4 would only include the repeated study measures/questions.
I was planning not to repeat demographic questions or sections that are unlikely to change, mainly to reduce participant burden, survey fatigue, and attrition.

However, I’m not sure if this is the best way to structure a longitudinal study in Qualtrics.

The study will start with open enrollment using a public link. Ideally, participants would:

I also need all responses across the 4 waves to be linked to the same participant.

What are the recommended/best-practice ways to do this in Qualtrics?

Specifically:

Is it better to create separate surveys for each wave or manage everything within one project?
What is the best way to link participant responses over time?
Is using contact lists/panels the recommended approach?
Are there common pitfalls or better workflows for minimizing attrition and managing follow-up invitations?

Any guidance or examples of how others have handled longitudinal studies in Qualtrics would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!