Safe Computing

SNAP is a program that allows you to create paper, web and pda based surveys or questionnaires. SNAP also allows you to do basic statistical analysis within the program, or export your data into a more sophisticated statistical analysis package such as SPSS. These instructions were written using SNAP Survey Software 7. Other versions may vary. Note: there are two versions of the SNAP Survey Software, with and without the scanning module. The difference is explained below. Unfortunately, there is no version of SNAP for Macintosh computers at this time.

So, How do I install it?

On the Software Center webpage, click on Windows Download next to the SNAP Survey Software. The download should automatically begin in a few seconds. If it doesn't, click the word 'here' to begin the download.
Double click on the install file, and click next at the welcome screen.
Click next at the 'ready to install' screen, and then Click OK.
Choose modify from the list of options in the InstallShield Wizard, and then click next.
Choose the components that will be installed from the component selection screen, then hit next.
NOTE: It is recommended that only advanced users change the components that setup will install.
Click finish, you're done!

Note: If you installed the Scanning Module, you will need Key Access.

What’s the Scanning Module and do I need it?

The scanning module is separate from the basic SNAP Survey Program and is needed only if you intend to scan in your data from paper questionnaires. You do not need the scanning module if you are planning on only using web or PDA surveys or if you plan to enter the data by hand. A licensed version of SNAP is required in order to scan data into the computer, however, the resultant .tiff files can be moved to another computer to be read and analyzed (or transferred into a statistical analysis program).

Although the basic SNAP package is free to Case users, the scanning module can only be obtained for an additional fee. Paying this fee gives you access to the scanning module, which is limited to a set number of concurrent users. (Only so many people can use the Scanning Module at the same time.) If you wish to have your own permanent license, you may purchase that from Mercator for $1000 per license. This is at a discount from their normal price of $2995 per scanning license. (Prices as of June 2003, current cost may vary)

If I want to set up a scannable survey, do I have to design my survey differently?

Yes. If you intend to scan paper surveys, you need to design your survey according to the following requirements:

1. You cannot use a background color.

- Adding background color decreases the contrast between the page and your data and would create errors when SNAP reads the data.

2. You cannot use shaded or drop shadowed boxes

- Like background colors, the use of shadowing and shading makes it harder for the program to correctly identify data

3. When creating closed ended questions (Likert scales, yes/no questions) you must use check boxes.

- Using the circular radio buttons would increase the chance of data being read incorrectly

I've created a web survey, where do I host it?

Web surveys can be hosted on the server of your choice. When publishing a web survey from within SNAP, be sure to save the files to their own separate folder. Once a respondent has completed a survey, you can send them to a default thank you page hosted by Mercator Corp, or one of your own choosing.

Completed web surveys will be e-mailed to the address you provide when you publish the completed survey within SNAP. In order for SNAP to locate and read the data from the completed surveys, they must remain in your default inbox and be marked as unread. You must use an e-mail program such as Eudora or Outlook – SNAP will not be able to read the data from web-based e-mail such as mail.case.edu, Hotmail or Yahoo mail.

Do note that e-mail responses are not encrypted and while only the responses are sent back, you should not use web based surveys to collect sensitive, open-ended data that contains information that could be used to identify a respondent.

If I'm creating a pda survey, what do I need to do differently?

When creating a pda based survey, your survey cannot be more than one column wide or it will not fit the screen. You will also need to remember to add page breaks to your questionnaire to accommodate the screen size.

Common problems and questions:

Problem: I accidentally opened the e-mail file with my web survey data and now SNAP won’t read it.
Solution: Right click on the e-mail in your inbox and change its status from 'read' to 'unread'.

Problem: I want to scan data but I get an error message saying all licenses are in use.
Solution: Wait for one of the other users to disconnect. If this is a frequent problem, you may want to consider purchasing your own license from Mercator (there is a discount for CASE users).

Question: If a respondent loses their web connection while filling out a web based survey, do they have to start over from the beginning?
Answer: As long as they keep the browser window open while they are filling out the survey, the data will not be lost.

Question: If data is being entered directly into SNAP, can I stop in the middle of the questionnaire and come back to it later?
Answer: Yes, as long as you remember to save the file, you can continue filling out the survey later.

Question: Is SNAP compatible with Macs?
Answer: To use SNAP on a Mac you need to run PC-Emulation software. SNAP does not have a version for any Mac OS.

Links to SNAP resources:

A manual and help files for SNAP are included in .pdf for when you install the program. See the 'help' menu within the program.

Sample surveys and general information about SNAP can be found at Mercator’s webpage: www.snapsurveys.com

November 22, 2009

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