Survey questions are often tied to variables on the participant profile card to automatically populate data. Automated error detection helps identify issues when changes are made to study settings that affect surveys.
Common Causes of Automated Errors:
Errors occur when a linked variable is modified or removed. Below are scenarios that can trigger an error message:
- Deleting a variable that was linked to a survey question.
- Importing a survey that contains variables not present in the study.
- Importing a survey where a variable has the same name and type, but different options.
- Deleting a variable used in a survey logic statement.
- Deleting an option from a single-select or multi-select variable that was referenced in survey logic.
How Ripple Notifies You of Errors
Ripple will generate an error message that includes:
✔ The type of error
✔ What is missing or broken
✔ Which question(s) are affected
Important Notes:
🔹 Logic Statements Are Not Automatically Verified
- The error detection system does not check for inaccurate or conflicting logic statements.
- You must test your survey logic to ensure it functions correctly.
🔹 After Fixing Errors, Validate Logic Accuracy
- Resolve all error messages before testing logic.
- Ensure there are no conflicting statements or gaps in your logic.
- Manually test the survey to confirm expected behavior.
By following these steps, you can maintain a reliable survey workflow and avoid unexpected data issues.
Preventing Errors in Surveys
To minimize errors, ensure that all study settings and custom variables required for survey variable linking and logic are properly configured before making changes.
Best Practices for Preventing Errors
1. Review Study Settings Before Editing
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Before modifying survey settings, confirm that they are not actively used in your survey.
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If a variable, recruitment component, or status used in logic is deleted, it may disrupt survey functionality.
2. Pay Attention to Warnings
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Ripple will display a warning message if a change affects a survey.
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The warning will specify:
✔ The affected survey(s)
✔ The impacted question(s) and logic statement(s)
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Manually resolve any issues before proceeding.
3. Properly Import Surveys from Another Study
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If importing a survey from another study, use the Study Import Function to:
✔ Import the survey and its settings
✔ Ensure all linked variables are included
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Refer to the Study Import Function documentation for step-by-step guidance.
By following these steps, you can prevent survey errors, broken logic, and missing data, ensuring a seamless workflow.
Finding and Resolving Survey Errors in Ripple
Ripple automatically detects and displays survey errors, helping you quickly identify and fix issues.
How to Identify Errors
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Open the Survey Creator
- Navigate to the Survey Creator page.
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Look for Red Error Messages
- If a survey has at least one error, a error message(red) will appear beneath it.
- A red triangle icon will indicate an issue.
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View Specific Errors
- Click the red triangle to see a detailed list of errors(green).
Resolving Errors
- The sections below provide details on different types of error messages, what they mean, and how to fix them.
- Once an error is resolved, the error message will disappear after saving the survey.
By addressing these errors promptly, you ensure that your surveys function correctly and maintain data integrity.
Survey Error Messages in Ripple: Causes & Fixes
When errors occur in Ripple Surveys, they are flagged with a red error message in the Survey Creator. Clicking the red triangle will display details on the issue. Errors must be resolved before the survey functions properly.
Types of Survey Errors & How to Fix Them
Survey Question Errors
These errors occur when Ripple cannot find a variable linked to a survey question. This typically happens when:
- A variable is deleted from the study.
- A survey is imported without its linked variables.
What it looks like:
⚠ Note: If you delete a linked variable, you will receive two duplicate error messages. Resolving the issue will remove both.:
Error: Deleting a Variable Linked to a Survey Question
📌 Cause: A previously linked variable was removed from the study.
📌 How to Fix:
✔ Option 1: Unlink the survey variable from the question → Click Save Survey.
✔ Option 2: Create a new variable → Link it to the question → Click Save Survey.
Error: Importing a Survey Without Required Variables
📌 Cause: A survey was imported into a study, but the required variables were not imported along with it.
📌 How to Fix:
✔ Option 1: Import the original variable from its study → Link it to the question → Click Save Survey.
✔ Option 2: Create a new variable → Link it to the question → Click Save Survey.
✔ Option 3: Import the survey and custom variables together.
✔ Option 4: Unlink the survey variable from the question → Click Save Survey.
What it looks like:
⚠ Note: Recruitment sites, strategies, race, gender, and ethnicity do not automatically migrate from the original study. You must manually relink these variables.
Error: Importing a Survey With a Variable That Has the Same Name & Type but Different Options
📌 Cause: A survey was imported, but a linked variable in the destination study has different options from the original study.
📌 How to Fix:
✔ Option 1: Unlink the survey variable from the question → Relink to the correct variable → Click Save Survey.
✔ Option 2: Rename the variable in the original study → Import the original variable → Link it to the question → Click Save Survey.
What it looks like:
Survey Logic Condition Errors
These errors occur when a survey logic rule cannot be executed due to missing variables or options.
Error: Deleting an Option or Variable Used in a Condition Statement
📌 Cause: A variable or option used in the Condition of a logic statement was deleted.
📌 How to Fix:
✔ Option 1: Add the option back to the variable → Reset the Condition in the logic statement → Save logic statement → Click Save Survey.
✔ Option 2: Change the option in the Condition → Save logic statement → Click Save Survey.
What it looks like:
Error: Deleting an Option or Variable Used in an Action Statement
📌 Cause: A variable or option used in the Action of a logic statement was deleted.
📌 How to Fix:
✔ Add the option back to the variable → Reset the Action component in the logic statement → Save logic statement → Click Save Survey.
What it looks like:
Final Steps: Ensure Survey Accuracy
✅ Once errors are resolved, save your survey to remove the error messages.
✅ Test survey logic to verify that all conditions and actions function correctly.
✅ Check for any missing or conflicting logic statements before finalizing.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Ripple Surveys run smoothly and without errors.