Timer variables (r9)

The create timers tag (alias timers) creates a variable that tracks time spent in specific survey sections. It works with the set defaults, define chapters, and start group widgets.

set defaults

set defaults
create timers: y

define chapters

define chapters
create timers: y
S. Screener Questions 
A. Main Survey Questions

start group

start group: DEEPDIVE
create timers: y

Details

• create timers accepts 'y' as the input.
• If create timers is used with the set defaults widget, it includes all named and nested groups in the time.
• Timers created with create timers: y are name "CHAPTERID_timer," where "CHAPTERID" would be replaced with the chapter or group name as defined in the survey code.
• The named timer tag can be used to assign custom names to timers within start groups. Use alphanumerics or underscores for custom names, no spaces allowed, e.g., (named timer: SCREENER_time).
• Timers are listed under System fields > Section Times in the reporting field tree. If both create timers and named timer tags are used, both timers appear in the reports.

Time calculation

Timers pause when respondents switch tabs or when inactivity exceeds 5 minutes.

The placement of the create timers tag impacts how elapsed time is recorded:

• On chapters: Times pages with data fields (questions, tables). Pages without data fields, such as those with only text, will not be timed.
• On groups: Times all pages, including text-only ones.

The named timer tag, which is only placed on a group, also links a timer to every page in the group.

Data

Timers created with the create timers tag are presented first in the reporting field tree, and group timers created with named timer are placed afterwards. Using the code example below, notice the 'DeepDive' named timer is placed on Q20, before chapter C. However, this data field is stored after the chapter timers, as shown in the image below.

Code example	Reporting field tree
define chapters create timers: y B. Brands C. Demos 10. A question chapter: B type: radio 1. yes startgroup: Q20TOQ30 named timer: DeepDive 20. A question type: radio 1. yes endgroup: Q20TOQ30 30. A question chapter: C type: radio 1. yes