The create timer tag is valid on start group or define chapters widgets and can also be applied to all named groups if used with the set defaults widget. This tag will create a variable to record the amount of time elapsed within a certain section of a survey. Nested groups support this tag as well. The start group widget will also support usage of the alias timer tag.
Rules for respondents regarding when a created timer will pause are similar to the system variable elapsed, with the same caveats: if the respondent switches to a different tab, the timer (and elapsed) pauses. There's also a general timeout to pause timing when a respondent's computer is inactive for 5+ minutes.
Tip: Users should note that the placement of the create timer/timer tag does make a difference in how elapsed time is recorded.
Adding timer: y on a chapter links a timer to every page that has a field (question, table, etc.) in that chapter. Thus it will not time any page without a field, such as a page with a chapter-intro that contains only text.
Adding create timer: y (or timer: y) on a group links a timer to every page in the group, whether or not it has a question.
Syntax
# With 'set defaults' widget set defaults create timers: y # 'timers: y' will also work here # With 'define chapters' widget define chapters timer: y S. Section S A. Section A D. Section D, etc. # Overriding a timer established with 'set defaults' start group: GROUP_NAME create timer: n # Full version - creating and naming a timer start group: GROUP_NAME create_timer: GROUP_NAME_time # Short version - creating and naming a timer start group: CONJOINT timer: CONJOINT_time
Examples
Tip: Applying create timer (or its alias timer: y) directly to a question widget will not create a timer. Timer variables are intended for the set defaults, define chapters, and start group widgets.
Establishing timers with defaults
To establish timers for all sections and groups in a survey, add either the create timers or timers tag to the set defaults widget.
set defaults create timers: y
Establishing timers on chapter definition
Timers can be established when using define chapters by applying timer: y or create timer: y.
define chapters timer: y S. Screener Questions D. Demographic Questions A. Main Survey Questions
Applying timers directly to a group
The start group widget can accept either the timer or create_timer tags. The timer name does not have to reflect the group name, though for clarity's sake, it is recommended to name the group's timer something related to the group name so it is easier to identify in data and reports.
start group: SCREENER
timer: SCREENER_time
1. Want to take a survey?
type: radio
1. Yes
2. No {term:y}
end group: SCREENER
Note: The "SCREENER_time" variable would appear at the end of the SCREENER group in the reports as
SCREENER_time. Elapsed time in seconds for group 'SCREENER'.
Data
When timer(s) or create timer(s) tags have been applied to a survey, timer variables will be created under the System fields > Section Times. These timer variables can be used for creating reports, either by selecting them as fields for use in a data cut with the Record Selector (via Expression Builder) or as the fields to use with the Field Selector.
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