When using embedded data to generate random number, can I make each number appears roughly equal ?

You could use a web service to assign the numbers. If you do that, you could go with one of three different strategies: 1. A random number generator algorithm than provides a more uniform distribution 2. Round-robin number assignment (keep track of the last one assigned and assign the next one) 3. Use quotas (either Qualtrics quotas or stored externally) and assign the least filled

Dear Tom, Thanks a lot for the help! May I ask more some more detailed explanations? 1. Do you mean that I can tell the generator to use a specific algorithm to provide uniform distribution? Or the current generating algrithm tends to provide uniform distribution ( maybe yes, but not work for a small amount ,200 for me, for example). 2. this round-robin number assignment sounds perfect for my object, could you please explain a it more precisely for me how to do that? Thanks a loooooooooooooooot!

> @Jing said: > Dear Tom, > > Thanks a lot for the help! May I ask more some more detailed explanations? > 1. Do you mean that I can tell the generator to use a specific algorithm to provide uniform distribution? Or the current generating algrithm tends to provide uniform distribution ( maybe yes, but not work for a small amount ,200 for me, for example). In Qualtrics rand is what it is and you can't change the algorithm. If you use a web service the language you use might have a number of random number functions that use different algorithms or you could write your own. > 2. this round-robin number assignment sounds perfect for my object, could you please explain a it more precisely for me how to do that? Say you are assigning numbers 1 to 200. Each time you assign a number you store it (on your web server) as the last number assigned. The next time you assign the stored last number + 1. When you get to 200, start over again with 1.

> @TomG said: > > @Jing said: > > Dear Tom, > > > > Thanks a lot for the help! May I ask more some more detailed explanations? > > 1. Do you mean that I can tell the generator to use a specific algorithm to provide uniform distribution? Or the current generating algrithm tends to provide uniform distribution ( maybe yes, but not work for a small amount ,200 for me, for example). > In Qualtrics rand is what it is and you can't change the algorithm. If you use a web service the language you use might have a number of random number functions that use different algorithms or you could write your own. > > 2. this round-robin number assignment sounds perfect for my object, could you please explain a it more precisely for me how to do that? > Say you are assigning numbers 1 to 200. Each time you assign a number you store it (on your web server) as the last number assigned. The next time you assign the stored last number + 1. When you get to 200, start over again with 1. > > So for the round-robin number assignment, I need to use the web-server to write my own javascript right？

> @Jing said: > So for the round-robin number assignment, I need to use the web-server to write my own javascript right？ Yes, but it wouldn't be JavaScript (that is used in client browsers only). It would be a web server scripting language like PHP, Python, etc.