Import Research Surveys

Importing helps when a research team already has a survey instrument in another format and wants to rebuild, pilot, or revise it in Domandata. Supported import paths include Domandata JSON, Qualtrics QSF, document-based survey extraction from Word, PDF, HTML, TeX, and text, a public Google Forms link or embed code, and a public Microsoft Forms link or embed code.

Think of import as a draft builder. It can save time, but the imported survey still needs a full review of question types, Flow, page breaks, variables, recodes, consent text, and export shape before it becomes a research instrument.

1. Step 1: Open Surveys. Start from the dashboard and use the Import button near New Survey.

   Step 1: Open Surveys

2. Step 2: Select the source. In the import dialog, choose a supported file such as JSON, QSF, DOCX, PDF, HTML, TeX, or text — or switch to the Google Forms or Microsoft Forms tab and paste the form's share link or <iframe> embed code. A Google Form must be shared as "Anyone with the link"; a Microsoft Form must be shared without requiring sign-in to respond (the form owner controls this under Collect responses → Who can fill out this form). Pasting a Google Forms or Microsoft Forms link or embed code anywhere on the Surveys dashboard imports it immediately, without opening this dialog.

   Step 2: Import Dialog

3. Step 3: Name the draft. Use the Survey name field if the file name is not a clear study title.

   Step 3: Name Draft

4. Step 4: Open the imported survey. After import, open the new draft in the editor.

   Step 4: Open Draft

5. Step 5: Review Block Builder. Check blocks, question types, prompts, answer options, variable names, and recodes.

   Step 5: Block Builder

6. Step 6: Review Flow. Open Flow and inspect branching, skip logic, condition sets, and end screens.

   Step 6: Flow Canvas

7. Step 7: Preview and pilot. Use Preview and a small pilot before using the imported survey for live research.

   Step 7: Preview

• Question type choices: imported multiple choice, dropdown, grid, and short-answer fields may need to be adjusted for analysis.
• Answer option labels: check order, display text, missing options, and any Prefer not to answer choices.
• Branching and skip logic: rebuild any platform-specific logic that did not translate cleanly into Flow. Google Forms and Microsoft Forms both import as a single page; Google's page breaks are preserved, and any "go to section based on answer" branching from either platform is not carried over and needs to be rebuilt in Flow.
• Variable names and recodes: rename vague imported fields and add numeric recodes before exporting.
• Experimental conditions and quotas: confirm arm names, assignment rules, and sample targets before launch.
• Consent and instructions: make sure imported document text did not merge prompts, headers, or footnotes into respondent-facing wording.

Import is a starting point, not a final quality check. Imported surveys should be reviewed like new instruments, especially if the original platform used logic, display rules, embedded data, page timing, randomization, or custom code that differs from Domandata.

• Design an Academic Survey Instrument
• Preview and Pilot Test a Survey
• Branching and Skip Logic for Research Surveys
• Duplicate and Adapt Research Surveys