Paper surveys for universities and research institutes

We support longitudinal studies, participant surveys and instruments that have been through ethics approval. Paper is handled in Australia, remains traceable, is retained for a defined period, and is then destroyed or returned as agreed.

Relevant experience: our project history includes work for 11 universities and research institutes since 2008.

What you need from a paper-mode partner

Details you can put in the ethics application. Where the paper goes, who sees it, how long it's kept and how it's destroyed. Our privacy and data handling page describes the process so you can use it in your project documentation. Nothing in the survey-processing workflow leaves Australia.

The same participant, wave after wave. Cohort and panel studies depend on the participant ID. We can print it on the form as digits and as a barcode, return it in every row of your data file, and use it to link each return to the participant list you supplied. Undeliverable mail can also be logged and reported so your team can follow up before the next wave.

Data in the structure you need. Column names and values are agreed with you before delivery. The Excel or CSV file is supplied in the structure you need, and every row can link to the PDF image of that returned form.

Exams and assessments

The same equipment reads answer sheets. For exams, placement tests and course assessments, see our page for education and assessment providers. Education and assessment providers

How the loop applies

Send us the approved instrument and any wording the approval requires, such as the privacy statement, ethics reference and contact details. We set it to Scantron specification and proof it back to you. We print and personalise with participant IDs and, where mailed, names and addresses for window envelopes. Mail-out can run through Australia Post with a Reply Paid return, or forms can be delivered in bulk for hand distribution at lectures, clinics or sites. Reminder waves can exclude completed paper returns, online completions and undeliverables. Forms are held for three months after delivery, or another agreed period, then securely shredded or returned.

Surveys and instruments we typically run for research and teaching

• Longitudinal cohort and panel studies
• Patient and client experience surveys
• School, student and parent surveys
• Membership and alumni surveys
• Tests, exams and assessments

Grant timing

Fieldwork dates are usually fixed by the grant, not by us. Tell us the dates when you ask for a quote and we'll build the schedule around them.