What's New in QDS™ Version 3.0?

QDS-Web

The latest addition to the QDS System, QDS-Web™ allows users to administer their QDS surveys over the internet, reaching anyone with an active internet connection. For more information about QDS-Web™, visit https://www.qdsweb.com/.

Design Studio Module

Updated Toolbar. The Design Studio has a new toolbar for inserting elements into your survey. If you click on one of the toolbar icons, the Design Studio will automatically open a property sheet for the chosen element type.

Color-coded Element List. Each element type is now displayed in the Design Studio’s main window with a unique color, enabling the designer to easily distinguish between questions, information elements, skips, and edit elements.

Format Element Enhancements. Options to Disable Previous Question button, and make changes to Colors, Size of Text Box, or Standard Buttons on a screen-by-screen basis for CAPI and ACASI.

New Build Options Menu Interface. Options for all product types are available from the Main Menu under Options | Build.

Options for Adding Colors to CAPI and ACASI. Set text and background color for selected screen items and an optional texture pattern for the main window under Build Options.

Build Web Application. The Design Studio Build menu has a new option for building web applications. After you have completed updating your survey specifications, select Build | Web Application from the menu to generate a SQL (Structured Query Language) script that will be used to configure your survey for QDS-Web.

Data Entry Build Options. The Build options for the Data Entry Application now allow you to select a font for question text and response data.

CAPI

Prevent Return to Previous Questions. As programmed with Format Element(s) in the Design Studio, the Previous Question button will be disabled on the next Data Element and any intervening Information Elements. This prevents the respondent from returning to a previous section of the survey.

Colors and Background Texture. Updated display supports colors for text and background, and texture pattern for main window, as programmed in Design Studio under CAPI Build Options, Colors.

Supports modifications to question text box and standard button size. As programmed with a Format Element, under Size Tab, changes in size of question text box and standard buttons will be in effect until end of interview or as changed by another Format Element.

Support modifications to color. As programmed with a Format Element, under Color Tab, changes to colors for Main Window, Question items and Information items fonts and background will be in effect until end of interview or as changed by another Format Element. Also supports disabling current texture fill pattern for Main Window.

ACASI

Prevent Return to Previous Questions. As programmed with Format Element(s) in the Design Studio, the Previous Question button will be disabled on the next Data Element and any intervening Information Elements. This prevents the respondent from returning to a previous section of the survey.

Colors and Background Texture. Updated display supports colors for text and background, and texture pattern for main window, as programmed in Design Studio under ACASI Build Options, Colors.

Supports modifications to question text box and standard button size. As programmed with a Format Element, under Size Tab, changes in size of question text box and standard buttons will be in effect until end of interview or as changed by another Format Element.

Support modifications to color. As programmed with a Format Element, under Color Tab, changes to colors for Main Window, Question items and Information items fonts and background will be in effect until end of interview or as changed by another Format Element. Also supports disabling current texture fill pattern for Main Window.

Support for using "touch and hold" gestures for tablets used without a mouse. To display a hidden "Refuse to answer" button, "tap and hold" on the upper right corner of the screen to make the button visible. To terminate or interrupt an interview, "tap and hold" on the upper left corner of the screen. A "tap and hold" on the top center of the screen will open the Notes window to allow staff to add a comment to the interview. Previously, these functions could only be performed with simultaneous left and right mouse clicks.

Data Entry Module

Fonts. The Version 3.0 Data Entry module displays question text and user input using the font specified in the Design Studio build options. This change allows users to run the Data Entry program with a much wider range of languages than in previous versions of QDS.

Warehouse Manager Module

New Look. Warehouse Manager v. 3.0 has an updated toolbar and new status icons.

Exporting to SPSS. The new SPSS format allows for longer variable labels, value labels, and text responses than in previous versions. For data managers who have older versions of SPSS, the Warehouse manager still supports the SPSS System File 6.1 format.

Exporting to Stata. The Stata export feature exports all Standard Version interviews to a Stata v. 10 dataset. The dataset contains all non-excluded variables and their associated values labels and responses.

Importing Data from QDS-Web. The new Import from Web Service feature allows QDS-Web™ users to import QDS-Web data into a local warehouse.