Hello,
I am conducting a longitudinal study where I evaluate a training. Therefore I will have Pre/Post/Follow Up Data of the participants that took part in the training. I am looking for an easy way to analyse the participants answers across the time points. I was thinking that each participants could create a personal code that they don`t have to memorize (for example: a six digit code consisting of the first two letters of mothers name, first two letters of fathers name, day of birthdate) that they will enter at the beginning of each survey so I can match their responses across the three time points. How do I implement this personal code? Could I turn it into a question with a free typing space or is there another easier option?

All 3 surveys have the same main questions, but for T2 and T3 there will be additional questions about how participants liked the training etc. Is it useful to make three separate surveys and send three different invitation links to participants? Or is there an easier and more direct way to connect the responses of each participant across the time points?

Thank you for your help!
 

How are your participants "recruited"/ invited to the surveys? Do you have their emails? In this case: Why not use tokens?

Because I feel that chances of none-unique codes are relatively high with the approach that you are creating.

I have their emails and they will receive an invitation email. I will use tokens, but I dont understand how I will be able to compare participants responses across the three surveys. Because aren`t newand random tokens created for every new survey that a participant does? Or is the same token produced each time a participant clicks on different survey link from the same email address?

Thanks for your help!

Because aren`t newand random tokens created for every new survey that a participant does? Or is the same token produced each time a participant clicks on different survey link from the same email address?

For the first survey you can let LS create the token randomly. But for the second and third wave you just download the token table and use it for the next wave. This way you can identify the respondents by the same token. You can export the token table together with your response table, then you could even make the connection via the email.

However, for annonymity purposes I would use the token and delete the email from the responses as soon as possible.

If you use the anonymous mode, then you won't be able to export the tokens together with the responses. Then you migh have to use something like your construct.

Yes, I would be using the anonymous mode, so then your suggestion wouldnt work right?

If I do the code like I suggested, would you recommend doing it as question with an blank answer field for typing (and defining that they can only type 6 letters or digits in that field)?

Hi,
just a word to your "anonymous" mode.
@holch's suggestion will not work, yes, but why anonymous? 
we, in Market and Opinion Research always ask for personal data.
Because we use it for things like longitudinal studies.

But we observe the professional rules of ESOMAR (European Society of Market and Option Research)

The ICC/ESOMAR International Code on Market, Opinion and Social Research and Data Analytics, which was developed jointly with the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), sets out global standards for self-regulation for researchers and data analysts and is undersigned by all ESOMAR members.

[url] www.esomar.org/what-we-do/code-guidelines [/url]

And because your username suggests that you are German, there is also the additional "Deutsche Erklärung des ADM" (Arbeitskreis Deutscher Marktforschungsinstitute)
[url] www.adm-ev.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/10...e-Erkl%C3%A4rung.pdf [/url]

Here the German declaration of how to deal with addresses.
[url] www.adm-ev.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/01...dressen-neu-2021.pdf [/url]
and the part referring to follow-up surveys.

Haben Befragte in eine Folge-oder Wiederholungs-Befragung eingewilligt, sind die Adressdaten von den Interviewdaten ebenfalls sofort zu trennen und bis zur Wiederverwendung getrennt zu speichern. Nach Abschluss der letzten Befragungswelle und im Fall der Rücknahme der Einwilligung zur Teilnahme an einer Folge-oder Wiederholungs-Befragung gelten dieselben Regeln wie bei Einmal-Befragungen

And as long as you work according to this there is no need to do it "anonymously".

Joffm

Hi, Alina,
did you read about survey iteration in the manua?
[url] www.limesurvey.org/manual/Iterate_survey [/url]

Your additional questions in the second and third wave you easily hide in the first wave by an equation.

Joffm