Using the IP address and cookies to control duplicate entries
Non-list based web surveys do not enable unique identifiers, which would enable us to control duplicate entries. Therefore, we have two alternatives, IP address and cookies, however each with certain limitations.
IP address
IP address is a number assigned to all devices logged into the network, including the respondent’s device. 1KA application enables you to block duplication of IP addresses, which can prevent that the same person repeatedly responds to your survey.
This functionality can be accessed under the 'EDIT' - 'Settings' - 'Respondent access' tab. In the ‘Block repeated IP address' category select the desired option - the block can be set to minutes - at least 10, 20 or up to 60 minutes, or to hours - for 12 or 24 hours (this option is off by default).
Limitation: The problem may occur in the case of dynamic IP addresses (dynamic IP address for the same device is changed when disconnected and restored) or in cases where the number of devices on the same network has the same IP address (eg. in organizations).
Despite these limitations, the use of IP blockage may prevent at least some of the simpler frauds like fake responses or server attacks coming from a single device.
Cookies
Cookie is asmall text file sent from the server hosting the web questionnaire, and then stored on respondent devices. Next time the respondent visits this same web questionnaire, the 1KA application recognizes this unit, which can be used to prevent repeated access or to enable proper continuation from eventual pausing or breakoff.
1KA application enables a variety of options in terms of cookies, which can be also accessed through the 'EDIT' - 'Settings' - 'Respondent Access':
- 'until the end of questionnaire', means that the cookie is deleted as soon as the respondent finishes answering the survey;
- 'Until the end of the browser session', the cookie is stored for the duration of the browser session (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera), i.e. also after the survey is completed and is deleted when respondent closes the browser;
- 'for 1 hour': the cookie is saved for one hour after the respondent first clicked on the survey URL;
- 'for 1 month': the cookie is saved for one month after the respondent first clicked on the survey URL.
You can find more about cookie settings and options for future continuation of the survey fulfilment in the Settings for respondent access: cookies and passwords manual.
Limitation: The problem with cookies is that they are tied to the browser, which means that respondent using another browser, other devices or user deleting the cookie can complete the survey again. Cookies face serious problems due to increasing ethical and legal restrictions, as well as because some users decide to block them. For these reasons cookies serve poorly as a replacement for the ID code.
In general we do not recommend using IPs and cookies for restricting access to the survey, because they can cause various expected and unexpected problems. In the default settings of 1KA application are these options usually turned off. Still, in some specific situations they can be useful, particularly if we know that in our target population none of the above problems emerge.
- Why did several respondents from the same IP address fulfilled the survey?
- Are mobile surveys supported by 1KA?
- Why is it necessary to enable Javascript?
- What is the limitation on the number of questions and respondents?
- My survey has very few responses (N)
- How safe is it to store data on 1KA?
- How do I clear my browser's cookies?
- Is the survey saved if the respondent does not answer a certain question?
- Where does free help end?
- How do I quote / cite the use of 1KA in my work?
- What about underage respondents?
- What kind of customer support does 1KA offer?
- How is the tool tested?
- How do I change or update my browser?
- Using the IP address and cookies to control duplicate entries
- Referrals
- Setting up a static first page (introduction)
- 1KA registration and login
- Granting access to helpdesk
- Survey data, paradata, identifiers, and system variables
- Detailed computations of questionnaire usability
- Criteria for usable respondents
- Status of units, relevance, validity and missing values
- Interruptions (BETA)
- The response rate
- Your first survey
- Quality index (reminder tracking)