EFS Panel: scope of functions

All the functions of EFS Panel can be controlled from a centralized administration console. Content that can be used for multiple projects, for example frequently-used standard questions, invitation texts and questionnaire designs can be stored in libraries. Specific content such as questionnaire content and design, field monitoring and data export, are available for each individual survey. The software also has a comprehensive user management system for team members. The project management functions of EFS Panel increase the long-term processing efficiency of survey projects – regardless of whether an individual user or an entire team is operating the software.

Panel participants can be recruited in a number of ways to EFS Panel: via websites, banner advertisements or by e-mail invitation. Existing participant data can also be imported into EFS Panel. When participants register, they can access their own information. An initial survey after registration is used to obtain basic information about the panelists.

Such profile data can be managed in the EFS Panel panelist management system. Here, the composition of the participant population can be controlled and monitored. Participants can also be summarized in panelist groups. Any available participant information can be used to create groups including responses held within individual surveys. This makes the organization of the panel and managing surveys much easier.

The user information stored in the panelist management system also serves to ensure panel quality. EFS Panel has a panelist behavior evaluation system. This records a great deal of information during each survey which can be analyzed within the administration interface. Such information includes whether panelists take part in surveys, answer questionnaires completely and how long they take for each response. This enables EFS Panel to continuously monitor panel quality.

The provision of incentives for panelists is closely linked to participant data. It is managed using a bonus point system which offers a variety of configuration options. Incentives can be set according to the nature, length and complexity of a survey, varied by participant groups or linked to special campaigns such as member recruitment. The system automatically awards bonus points according to the criteria. EFS Panel also offers the option of conducting prize draws wherein the number of prizes or bonus points set can be awarded randomly among a group of panelists or the entire panel.

The award of digital incentives can also be automated within EFS Panel. Token codes and download links can be integrated into the software. If the panelists select a prize, it is made available to them automatically. The current incentives payout status can be viewed in the software’s administration screen. Incentive reporting tools give an overview of the total number of available prizes and bonus points granted at any time.

More than 25 different question types with closed or open response options are provided in EFS Panel for creating engaging survey content. They can be inserted into questionnaire pages and flexibly combined with one another. EFS Panel also provides wide-ranging options for using multimedia content in surveys. Images, video material and sound clips can be used to create an innovative survey design. The software facilitates the translation of questionnaire content into multiple languages and provides interfaces to common translation software solutions.

The survey itself can be carried out in just about any language. Sophisticated logic and branching capabilities in EFS Panel help participants navigate through the survey. The software uses filters, triggers and hiding conditions to react to response behavior and only shows users questions that are relevant to them. EFS Panel also supports complex filter processes. For example, questions can be linked to the user’s profile data. The design of each questionnaire is flexible and can be accurately adapted to design specifications. Once a template has been created, the questionnaire layout can be applied to any future survey project.

During the survey process, key data on feedback can be monitored in real time. Responses to closed and open questions as well as the complete results of an individual respondent can be viewed at all times. EFS Panel has comprehensive functions to ensure the quality of its results. Before the survey starts, the software helps the project team review the survey. Testers can enter comments and suggestions directly within the survey itself. It is also possible to check the consistency of the survey using automatically generated test data. During the survey, plausibility checks can be performed to verify whether response behavior is consistent over the course of the survey. After the survey, automated data cleansing is possible. For example, participants who have answered the questionnaire too quickly can be treated separately during further analysis of the results or excluded completely. The results records can be exported with all the desired information in commonly-used formats. For example, EFS Panel supports SPSS, Microsoft Excel, Quantum, CSV and fixed format files.

EFS Panel has a content management system in which pages of the panel website are created and managed. When panelists log onto the website, they are directed to their personal user page wherein a summary of surveys for which they qualify is presented. There, for example, they can call up their current bonus point status, view the available incentives and exchange points for prizes. These processes are automated in EFS Panel. If a panelist is approved by the software to participate in an online survey, a unique access link appears automatically on his user page. Once they have completed the survey, the corresponding bonus points are also allocated to them automatically. Panel websites can be flexibly configured and edited using the content management system. It is also possible to set up multilingual websites and panelist community features. Moreover, various pages can be created for individual panel groups. These subpanels differ in design and content and make it easier to address different panel target groups directly.