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<onlyinclude>In SurveyCTO, all [[Questionnaire Programming|questionnaires]] and data associated with a project is uploaded to a '''server'''. The word '''server''' sounds technical but from the perspective of the user, it is nothing more complicated than opening an internet browser and logging in to your project's account on the SurveyCTO website. We will keep using the term '''server''' but for most purposes it can just as well be thought of as an "account".</onlyinclude>


In SurveyCTO, all questionnaires and data associated with a project is uploaded to a server. The word "server" sounds technical but from the perspective of the user experience, it is nothing more complicated than opening a internet browser and logging in to your project's account on SurveyCTO's website. We will keep using the term "server" but for most purposes it can just as well be thought of as an "account".
The '''server''' is the hub through which all the '''questionnaire''' and data related to SurveyCTO is communicated. The '''server''' is used
#by the project team to upload '''questionnaires'''
#by field teams to download and then upload [[Primary Data Collection|data collected]] using those '''questionnaires'''.
#and finally by the project team to download the data collected from the field.  
The '''server''' has more features, but the main purpose is for the project team to communicate which data to collect via uploading the '''questionnaire''' and for the field team to collect and upload that data.


The server is the hub where all questionnaire and data related to SurveyCTO's is communicated trhough. The server is used for project team to upload questionnaires, for field teams to download those questionnaires, then upload data collected with those questionnaires, and then the project team is downloading the collected data from the field. The servers have more features, but the main purpose is for the project team to communicate which data to collect (by uploading questionnaires) and for the field team to collect and upload that data.
If you are working on a DIME project and you are still just developing your questionnaire, please read about DIME's [[DIME_Development_server|development server]] first.


If you are working on a DIME project and you are still just developing your questionnaire, please read about DIME's [[DIME_Development_server|development server]] first.
== Read fist ==
 
*If you update your '''server''', you must update the '''SurveyCTO Collect app''' on all tablets using that '''server'''. Only [[SCTO Collect|update SurveyCTO collect through the server]].
 
== Plans ==
SurveyCTO offers multiple types of plans that suit the needs of different projects. This section describes what features have made various DIME projects  use different plans. For full details on the plans, see http://www.surveycto.com/plans.html.
 
=== Free Plans ===
There is a free plan for new users who want to explore SurveyCTO. In return for using the free account, the user needs to be active in the forums on SurveyCTO's website. DIME projects can instead use DIME's [[DIME_Development_server|development server]] that is free of charge for the project team. Two reasons for a DIME project to use the free plan despite having access to the '''development server''' are
#the project team wants to upload test data which is not allowed on the '''development server''' but project funding hasn't been disbursed yet
#the project team does not want to set up a paid '''server''' because [[Primary Data Collection|data collection]] is still several months away


= Read fist =  
=== Paid Plans ===
Aside from cost, users are not required to participate in the forums when using the paid plan and they have access to the [https://support.surveycto.com/hc/en-us SurveyCTO support center].


*If you update your server, you '''must''' update the SurveyCTO Collect app on all tablets using that server
There are three paid plans which differ in the features they provide. All '''servers''' have limits on the number of [[Questionnaire Programming|questionnaires]] allowed, the amount of data that can be submitted, etc. The higher the plan cost, the more the number of features and the more generous the limits.


= Plans =
The '''World Bank''' has an internal SurveyCTO '''server''', located [https://survey.wb.surveycto.com/index.html here]. This is the default option for DIME projects [[Primary Data Collection|collecting primary data]].


SurveyCTO offers multiple types of plans that suit different project's needs. This section described what features have made different DIME project to use different plans. For full details on the plans, see http://www.surveycto.com/plans.html.  
== How to organize users ==
The user account used to set up the '''server''' will automatically become an Administrator user. For the purpose of avoiding confusion on who makes updates, it is a wise idea to limit the number of Administrators just a few. Try to avoid only having one Administrator in case an update has to be done urgently in the middle of [[Primary Data Collection|data collection]] when the Administrator user is unavailable.


== Free Plans ==
You don't need to set up one "Data Collector" account for each tablet. Create one account that you then use on all tablets to log in to the [[Survey Pilot|survey]].


There is one free plan that is an option for new users that wants to explore SurveyCTO. In return for using the free account the user needs to be an active user in the forums on SurveyCTO's website. DIME projects can instead use DIME's [[DIME_Development_server|development server]] that is free of charge to the project team. Frequent reasons for a DIME project have this plan despite having access to the developemnt server is if the project wants to upload test data (which is not allowed on the development server) but cannot set up a paid server yet (project funding not dispersed yet) or do not want to set up a paid server yet (data collection is still several months away and these test submissions are very temporary).
We do not have any strong opinions on how to assign all the roles between Administrator and Data Collector. Feel free to do this the way you think best serves the need of your project. Many projects only use one type of role in addition to Administrator and Data Collector.


== Paid Plans ==
== Keeping your server up to date ==
SurveyCTO regularly releases updates for the '''servers'''. These updates are not automatically pushed to all '''servers''' as one should be careful of updating a '''server''' during an ongoing [[Survey Pilot|survey]]. Each version of the '''survey''' comes with a corresponding version of the Android app '''SurveyCTO Collect'''. There is a risk of error in communication between the app and the '''server''' if the version of the Android app does not correspond to the version of the '''server'''. Ultimately, this can lead to corrupted or lost data.


In addition to cost, the two main differences between the free plan and the paid plan is that you are not required to participate in the forums when using a paid plan, and a paid plan gives you access to contacting SurveyCTO's support.
When you start a new '''server''', you get the latest version by default. It is recommended that the '''server''' is updated between each '''survey''' round when no [[Primary Data Collection|data collection]] is going on. After the '''server''' is updated, all tablets must be updated as well. Never download or update the '''SurveyCTO Collect app''' from Google Play. Exclusively follow the instructions on how to [[SCTO Collect|install SurveyCTO Collect]] on your tablet.


There are three paid plans and they differ in two aspects, limits and features. All servers have limits in terms of number of questionnaires on the server, amount of data submitted to the server etc. The more a plan cost the more generous are the limits and the more features are included.
It is important that data is collected in the same version as the [[Questionnaire Programming|questionnaire]] was developed and tested in, so update your '''server''' and '''SurveyCTO Collect app''' before developing a new '''questionnaire''' or updating an old one.


The default option for DIME's projects is to start with the cheapest paid version. The plan can be changed at any time so if you are unsure if you need a more expensive plan, you can take that decision as the need arises. Adding features is a more common reason for a DIME project to upgrade to a more expensive plan rather than increasing limits. The most common reason to upgrade to the medium plan is that the advanced sync options provides a good solution if the internet connection in the field, even relative the typical context for a DIME project, is particularly bad. The most common reason to upgrade to the most expensive plan is to get access to SurveyCTO's Data Explorer.
In reality, the risk of corrupted or lost data due to using a '''server''' and a '''questionnaire''' developed on two different but consecutive versions of SurveyCTO is low, but unless there is a good reason, it is not worth the risk. If there is a feature released in a new version of SurveyCTO that would be of significant value, it can be justified to update the '''server''' during '''data collection'''. However, be aware that you are taking a risk and try to do it when the field team is not collecting data so that you have time to do some testing before you collect data again.


= How to organize users =
To update the '''server''' you need to be logged in to your '''server''' as an "Administrator". Then click at the settings symbol at the top of the page, and go to the subscription management page.


= Keeping your server up to date =
== Back to parent topic ==


SurveyCTO regularly releases updates for the servers. These updates are not automatically pushed to all servers as one should be careful if updating a server during an ongoing survey. Each version of the survey comes with a corresponding version of the Android app SurveyCTO collect. There is a risk of the communication between the Collect app and the server will have errors if the version of the Android app does not correspond to the version of the server. Ultimately, this can lead to corrupted or lost data.
This article is a part of the topic [[Questionnaire Programming]].


When you start a new server, you get the latest version by default. It is recommended that the server is updated between each survey round when no data collection is going on. After the server is updated, all tablets need to be updated as well. The '''only''' way to guarantee that the
== Additional Resources ==
*DIME Analytics (World Bank), [https://osf.io/8e7bj Introduction to SurveyCTO]
*DIME Analytics (World Bank), [https://osf.io/ezm68 Overview of SurveyCTO at the World Bank]
*DIME Analytics (World Bank), [https://osf.io/t5kq3 SurveyCTO Resources]
[[Category: Questionnaire Programming]]

Latest revision as of 19:00, 2 August 2023

In SurveyCTO, all questionnaires and data associated with a project is uploaded to a server. The word server sounds technical but from the perspective of the user, it is nothing more complicated than opening an internet browser and logging in to your project's account on the SurveyCTO website. We will keep using the term server but for most purposes it can just as well be thought of as an "account".

The server is the hub through which all the questionnaire and data related to SurveyCTO is communicated. The server is used

  1. by the project team to upload questionnaires
  2. by field teams to download and then upload data collected using those questionnaires.
  3. and finally by the project team to download the data collected from the field.

The server has more features, but the main purpose is for the project team to communicate which data to collect via uploading the questionnaire and for the field team to collect and upload that data.

If you are working on a DIME project and you are still just developing your questionnaire, please read about DIME's development server first.

Read fist

Plans

SurveyCTO offers multiple types of plans that suit the needs of different projects. This section describes what features have made various DIME projects use different plans. For full details on the plans, see http://www.surveycto.com/plans.html.

Free Plans

There is a free plan for new users who want to explore SurveyCTO. In return for using the free account, the user needs to be active in the forums on SurveyCTO's website. DIME projects can instead use DIME's development server that is free of charge for the project team. Two reasons for a DIME project to use the free plan despite having access to the development server are

  1. the project team wants to upload test data which is not allowed on the development server but project funding hasn't been disbursed yet
  2. the project team does not want to set up a paid server because data collection is still several months away

Aside from cost, users are not required to participate in the forums when using the paid plan and they have access to the SurveyCTO support center.

There are three paid plans which differ in the features they provide. All servers have limits on the number of questionnaires allowed, the amount of data that can be submitted, etc. The higher the plan cost, the more the number of features and the more generous the limits.

The World Bank has an internal SurveyCTO server, located here. This is the default option for DIME projects collecting primary data.

How to organize users

The user account used to set up the server will automatically become an Administrator user. For the purpose of avoiding confusion on who makes updates, it is a wise idea to limit the number of Administrators just a few. Try to avoid only having one Administrator in case an update has to be done urgently in the middle of data collection when the Administrator user is unavailable.

You don't need to set up one "Data Collector" account for each tablet. Create one account that you then use on all tablets to log in to the survey.

We do not have any strong opinions on how to assign all the roles between Administrator and Data Collector. Feel free to do this the way you think best serves the need of your project. Many projects only use one type of role in addition to Administrator and Data Collector.

Keeping your server up to date

SurveyCTO regularly releases updates for the servers. These updates are not automatically pushed to all servers as one should be careful of updating a server during an ongoing survey. Each version of the survey comes with a corresponding version of the Android app SurveyCTO Collect. There is a risk of error in communication between the app and the server if the version of the Android app does not correspond to the version of the server. Ultimately, this can lead to corrupted or lost data.

When you start a new server, you get the latest version by default. It is recommended that the server is updated between each survey round when no data collection is going on. After the server is updated, all tablets must be updated as well. Never download or update the SurveyCTO Collect app from Google Play. Exclusively follow the instructions on how to install SurveyCTO Collect on your tablet.

It is important that data is collected in the same version as the questionnaire was developed and tested in, so update your server and SurveyCTO Collect app before developing a new questionnaire or updating an old one.

In reality, the risk of corrupted or lost data due to using a server and a questionnaire developed on two different but consecutive versions of SurveyCTO is low, but unless there is a good reason, it is not worth the risk. If there is a feature released in a new version of SurveyCTO that would be of significant value, it can be justified to update the server during data collection. However, be aware that you are taking a risk and try to do it when the field team is not collecting data so that you have time to do some testing before you collect data again.

To update the server you need to be logged in to your server as an "Administrator". Then click at the settings symbol at the top of the page, and go to the subscription management page.

Back to parent topic

This article is a part of the topic Questionnaire Programming.

Additional Resources

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