Offline Survey Application with Local Response Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional online web-based surveys require persistent network connectivity, which can be inconvenient for panelists and leads to high dropout rates due to the need for continuous internet access and inability to resume surveys without starting over.
Innovation Solution
A survey application and definition file are downloaded to a device, allowing local execution and storage of responses, which are then uploaded when network connectivity is established, enabling surveys to be conducted offline and resumed later.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional online web-based surveys are used, then data collection can be conducted remotely, but persistent network connectivity is required which leads to high dropout rates
Solution Approach 1:
The survey application and definition files are downloaded and installed on the panelist's device before the survey begins. This preliminary action enables the survey to be conducted offline without requiring persistent network connectivity during the actual survey completion, thereby reducing dropout rates while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
A local survey application acts as an intermediary between the panelist's device and the remote survey server. The application stores survey definitions and responses locally on the device, allowing surveys to be completed offline and synchronizing with the server only when network connectivity is available, thus resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and reliability
2Loss of information
If persistent network connectivity is required for surveys, then real-time data upload is possible, but user convenience deteriorates due to inability to complete surveys without internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The survey application pre-downloads and caches survey definition files and necessary resources on the panelist's device before the survey is taken. This allows the survey to be completed offline without losing response data, while enabling survey accessibility in areas without persistent internet connection
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic synchronization attempts where the survey application checks for network connectivity at intervals and automatically uploads accumulated response data when connection is available. This periodic action ensures data upload timeliness while maintaining survey accessibility during offline periods
3Productivity
If surveys require continuous internet connection, then centralized data management is maintained, but survey completion rates decrease due to connectivity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The survey system is segmented into independent components: survey definition files, response data storage, and synchronization logic are all stored and managed locally on the panelist's device. This segmentation allows survey completion without network dependency while maintaining centralized data management through periodic server synchronization, thereby increasing completion rates without excessive device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The survey application provides self-service functionality by automatically managing local storage of survey definitions and responses, handling offline survey completion, and autonomously synchronizing with the server when connectivity is restored. This reduces the need for continuous network monitoring and manual intervention, improving completion rates while keeping device complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting surveys of panelists via mobile devices without requiring persistent network connectivity with the mobile devices. A survey application is downloaded to a user's processor-based device, and executes locally on the device. A survey definition file is generated that specifies various information defining a given survey, such as specific questions to be asked, etc. The survey definition file is downloaded to the user's device. Once downloaded to the user's processor-based device, the survey definition file is interpreted by the survey application executing on the user's processor-based device in order to present a user interface on the user's processor-based device with which a user can interact to take the survey, as defined by the downloaded survey definition file. The survey definition file may be generated by a tool as a result of processing a predefined survey definition file.