This article provides an overview of the coding options available for different assessments and how to preload coding with your participant list, prior to launch.
Overview
Coding analysis, which encompasses Unit level, Population, Course, and Chapter, is accessible for most assessments. By ordering coding, you can gain additional insights for the specific populations you define within the system, facilitating meaningful comparisons across various groups.
It is essential to establish your coding definitions prior to distributing the survey. You can input these definitions through the Manage Survey tab. At the start of the survey, participants will have the option to select their answers from a drop-down menu, or you can choose to preload this information into your participant list.
For information on how to enter Coding, please see the help article Enter Benchworks Coding (Unit level, Population, Course, Chapter).
Preloading Coding Instructions
To minimize the risk of human error during the coding selection process, consider preloading coding information into your participant upload list before launching your survey. This proactive method integrates coding directly into the participant data, improving both accuracy and efficiency. By preloading codes, participants are not required to select their own codes, which eliminates potential mistakes.
To do this, add a separate column for each coding level you plan to preload into the participant list. Each row should contain the appropriate numeric code(s) for the corresponding participant, placed under clearly labeled column headings. A standard participant list includes columns for first name (fname), last name (lname), and email. You’ll need to add additional columns for each coding category. You can find the numeric values for your codes either when you define them or afterward in the Survey Outline.
When preloading coding into your participant list, it's essential to use the correct column headers and maintain a consistent structure. Your spreadsheet should be organized in the following order: first name (fname) in column A, last name (lname) in column B and email in column C , followed by the coding columns (e.g., U1, U2, U3, population). This format ensures that each participant's coding data is correctly aligned, helping to prevent errors during upload and ensuring accurate data mapping.
To preload, use the following terms as column headers in your Excel file:
- Population code = population
- Resident/Student Staff Area code = U1
- Resident/Student Staff Hall code = U2
- Resident Floor code = U3
- Apartment Complex code = U1
- Apartment Building code = U2
- First-Year Seminar Course Section code = U1
- Fraternity/Sorority Chapter code = U1
Population Code Analysis
Population code analysis is a powerful feature that enables you to enhance your assessments by incorporating additional filterable criteria. This functionality allows you to create a categorical question of your choice, which can have up to 20 distinct answer options. By implementing this feature, you gain the ability to derive meaningful insights and analyses regarding specific populations. It is crucial that the answer categories are mutually exclusive, ensuring that each participant can select only one category that best represents their identity. This capability facilitates comparisons of responses across various demographics, such as different locations, academic majors, specialty programs, or any other groupings you establish. At the beginning of the survey, participants will have the opportunity to select the coding that aligns most closely with their identification. You may preload population coding with your participant list.
Resident Assessment Unit Level Coding (Area/Hall/Floor)
Resident Assessment unit level coding enables you to analyze and compare survey responses across various levels, such as area, hall, and floor. You have the flexibility to determine how many levels to incorporate based on your specific needs. Prior to distributing the survey, it is crucial to establish the number of levels and the groups within each level. Institutions also have the option to purchase individual staff reports, which provide Coordinators, Resident Directors, and Resident Advisors (RAs) with customized comparative reports detailing their performance across all factors and questions. At the start of the survey, participants can select the coding that most accurately reflects their identity.
Student Staff Assessment Unit Level Coding (Area/Hall)
Student Staff Assessment unit level coding enables you to analyze and compare survey responses across various levels, such as area and hall. You have the flexibility to define how many levels you wish to include based on your specific requirements. It is not necessary to utilize both levels of coding; you can select as few or as many levels as needed. Before you distribute the survey, it is important to decide on the number of levels and the corresponding groups within each level. Additionally, institutions can opt to purchase individual staff reports, which offer Coordinators and Resident Directors tailored comparative insights into their performance across all metrics and questions. At the beginning of the survey, participants will have the chance to select the coding that most accurately reflects their identity.
Apartment Assessment Unit Level (Building/Complex)
Apartment Assessment unit level coding enables you to analyze survey responses at various levels, such as by building or complex. You have the flexibility to decide how many levels to include based on your specific requirements, and you are not obligated to use both levels; you can select as few or as many as you need. Before distributing the survey, it is important to identify the number of levels and the corresponding groups within each level. Furthermore, institutions have the option to purchase customized staff reports, which offer Coordinators, Resident Directors, and Resident Advisors (RAs) detailed comparative insights into their performance across all metrics and questions. At the beginning of the survey, participants can select the coding that best reflects their identity.
First-Year Seminar Assessment Unit Level Coding (Course Section)
First-Year Seminar course section coding enables you to analyze data based on specific course sections or course names, allowing for a more granular understanding of your findings within each section. Prior to distributing the survey, it is essential to identify the number of course sections and define them appropriately. Institutions also have the option to obtain tailored course section reports for individual course instructors, which provide insights into the performance of coordinators, directors, and faculty across all metrics and questions. At the beginning of the survey, participants will have the chance to select the coding that most accurately reflects their identification.
Fraternity/Sorority Assessment Unit Level Coding (Chapter)
Fraternity and Sorority assessment chapter coding enables you to analyze survey results by individual chapters. Prior to survey distribution, it is essential to establish the number of chapters and define their corresponding codes. Additionally, you have the option to acquire customized chapter reports for each individual chapter, which provide an in-depth comparison of their performance across all metrics and questions. At the start of the survey, participants will have the opportunity to select the coding that most accurately reflects their chapter affiliation.