Understanding the Cost Implications of the Qualtrics Survey Tool
As researchers, we are well-accustomed to running online experiments, including cognitive tasks and behavioral experiments, all essential components of psychological research. One widely used tool for running these experiments is the online survey tool by Qualtrics. It's important, however, to understand the cost implications of using such a powerful tool, especially as the price has a decisive impact on the feasibility of our remote studies. In this article, we examine the Qualtrics license model, the potential costs of an experiment with 100 participants, and the often hidden costs associated with Qualtrics.
The Qualtrics License Model
The Qualtrics licensing model is somewhat opaque, as the precise costs are usually tailor-made for the organization and depend on the number of users, the anticipated number of responses, and additional features required. However, as a rough ballpark figure, costs typically start at around a few thousand dollars annually. Always contact Qualtrics directly for the most accurate pricing information.
Running an Experiment with 100 Participants
Let's consider you are running an experiment using www.cognition.run with 100 participants. If you are working under a standard Qualtrics license, there will be no additional per participant costs for your study, as it falls comfortably within the average license response restrictions. This makes Qualtrics a popular choice for researchers conducting experiments with a relatively small number of participants.
The Hidden Costs
While the initial licensing costs are typically well-defined, there are potential hidden costs that researchers unfamiliar with the Qualtrics model may overlook. For instance, it's common to exceed the response limits, incur costs for additional features, or need technical assistance exclusive to the advanced - and more expensive - licenses. So, you should always consider your budget carefully before using Qualtrics for your experiments.
Tips to Reduce the Cost
Considerable cost savings can be made by utilizing alternative tools like jsPsych, which, while not as comprehensive as Qualtrics, is a cost-effective and efficient tool for creating and running online behavioral experiments. Moreover, you can always look for institutional partnerships or shared licenses to reduce the per-user cost.
To reduce your costs further, consider what features you really need and never pay for additional ones you don't anticipate using. The beauty of online tools like Qualtrics lays in their adaptability and scalability - use these to your advantage!