Use Media As Research Material
Media stimuli include images, videos, screenshots, ads, maps, policy pages, prototypes, and other materials that respondents inspect before answering. Build media blocks so the stimulus, follow-up measures, Flow, and exports are easy to audit.
Before launch, decide exactly what each respondent should see, how long they need to inspect it, which follow-up questions measure the response, and how the export will identify the displayed stimulus or condition arm.
Add Media To A Survey
Step 1: Choose the display surface. Use Content Blocks for media that respondents only view, and Heatmap when click coordinates are the response.
Step 1: Choose the display surface
Step 2: Place the media in its own block. Use blocks so Flow can route different respondents to different stimuli and so the treatment page is easy to find later.
Step 2: Place the media in its own block
Step 3: Add instructions before the media. Tell respondents what to watch, read, or inspect, whether sound matters, and whether they can continue immediately.
Step 3: Add instructions before the media
Step 4: Add follow-up checks. Use comprehension or manipulation checks when the protocol needs evidence that respondents understood the stimulus.
Step 4: Add follow-up checks
Step 5: Route experimental media in Flow. Use experimental conditions when different arms see different images, videos, or messages.
Step 5: Route experimental media in Flow
Step 6: Preview on mobile and desktop. Use Mobile-Friendly Research Surveys to confirm media remains visible, readable, and positioned above the follow-up questions.
Step 6: Preview on mobile and desktop
Export And Documentation
Record which stimulus each respondent saw, any condition arm, and any randomized order fields needed for analysis. Review Export Research Survey Responses before launch so media assignment data is present.
If the media is part of an experiment, store a stable stimulus label in your codebook, such as stimulus_policy_high_cost or ad_control_static. Avoid relying only on file names, especially when images are replaced during pilot revisions.
Preview: Respondent Experience
Prelaunch Media Checks
- File stability: confirm the media is not hosted somewhere that may expire, require a login, or block respondent access.
- Screen size: preview on a phone, tablet, and desktop if participants will use mixed devices.
- Readability: check small text in screenshots, charts, and ads, especially if the task asks respondents to interpret details.
- Accessibility: include text alternatives or surrounding explanation when the research design allows it, and avoid using color alone to communicate critical instructions.
- Timing and attention: pilot whether respondents have enough time to inspect the media before the outcome questions appear.