Generate random test data

Question

Hi!

Qualitrics offers a function to generate random test data.

https://www.qualtrics.com/support/survey-platform/survey-module/survey-tools/generating-test-responses/

This is an amazing tool, as it helps researchers understand how their dataset will look like before sending out the survey and to be able to run "mock analysis", which can be helpful to inform pre-registration. Is it possible to do something like that in soscisurvey as well? If not, could this function be implemented in the future?

Best regards

Answer 1

When you do your technical pretests (fill out the questionnaire and check if everything works properly), you will also collect (useless) data that you can download (when you set the proper criteria for valid responses) to do exactly what you described above :)

Comments

Thanks, I understand that. A function like the one provided by qualitrics would still be advantageous, especially if I wanted to generate a larger test data set without having to go through the trouble of clicking through the whole thing hundreds of times. So this remains on my wish list ;)

Best regards

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Why would someone need a larger "test data set"?

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It's extremely useful in the context of pre-registratrion or pre-specification of analytical strategies. It allows you to create a dataset on which you can run your analyses, to determine each and every step along the way. This helps you think more deeply about your data and design and would also make it easier to get early input from a statistician who can comment on your code.