Qualtrics Survey Builder
What is Qualtrics?
Qualtrics is an online service for creating and administering surveys. The Perelman School of Medicine has a site license so if you have a valid pennmedicine.upenn.edu account, you should be able to log in with your PennKey at http://upenn.qualtrics.com to create new surveys. See instructions below.
Using Qualtrics for Research Purposes
If you are using Qualtrics to collect research data intended for publication, please contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before sending out your survey.
You may have heard of other, similar services for creating online forms and surveys. Here's how Qualtrics compares to each.
Qualtrics vs REDCap
REDCap is a mature, secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases. While REDCap can be used to collect virtually any type of data, it is specifically geared to support data capture for research studies. The REDCap application allows users to build and manage online surveys and databases quickly and securely. If you intend/have the need to collect sensitive information, such as confidential patient or research study participant information, please use REDCap. Collection of HIPAA data via Qualtrics is NOT permitted due to its sensitive nature.
NOTE: The PMACS Web Team does not support this tool. Please contact REDCap Help Desk Support directly for any assistance you may need.
Qualtrics vs. SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is a web-based application that provides customizable surveys, as well as a suite of back-end programs that include data analysis, sample selection, bias elimination, and data representation tools. The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine currently does not have any affiliation with this vendor, and unlike Qualtrics, there is a monthly fee to set up and host anything more than a very simple survey. Additionally, any survey built with this tool will not come pre-customized, or have the Perelman logo; all customization must be added by you. Like Qualtrics, this tool should not be used in order to collect sensitive information, such as confidential patient or research study participant information. Collection of HIPAA data via SurveyMonkey is NOT permitted due to its sensitive nature; please use REDCap instead (mentioned above).
NOTE: The PMACS Web Team does not support this tool. Please contact SurveyMonkey directly for any assistance you may need.
Qualtrics vs. MachForm
MachForm form builder is a web-based application that helps you create professional-grade online forms with maximum compatibility. A major feature of this option is the fact that the styling of these forms can be matched to fit seamlessly with your site. While less robust than Qualtrics, Machform can be used to make surveys, manage registrations, create email newsletter lists, etc. Like Qualtrics, this tool should not be used in order to collect sensitive information, such as confidential patient or research study participant information, please use REDCap (mentioned above). Collection of HIPAA data via Machform is NOT permitted due to its sensitive nature please use REDCap instead (mentioned above).
Visit the MachForm site for more information.
Collecting Sensitive Information
The university policy prohibits collecting credit card or social security numbers online. Please be sure you are in keeping with community expectations and law and policy if collecting potentially sensitive data. For more information, see Penn resources on protecting student privacy under FERPA, health records under FERPA, HIPAA, Social Security Numbers, and Credit Card Data. Please also visit our Security & Privacy Overview page on ITS Online.
Logging into Qualtrics
First Time Login
- Log in with your PennKey at http://upenn.qualtrics.com.
- Choose "I don't have a Qualtrics account".
- Verify your name and email address, then click Update.
Your username will appear as pennkey@upenn.edu#upenn. You will not need to remember this to login.
Getting Help and Support for Qualtrics
If you need help using Qualtrics, you will need to log into their Support Center using your PennKey.