Qualtrics and other survey response collection tools
The University of Georgia is transitioning away from Qualtrics for normal use. Qualtrics will still be available for research purposes, but its use will be tightly controlled. UGA suggests using Microsoft Forms and Google Forms as alternatives. Both options allow users to quickly and easily create custom surveys, quizzes, registrations, etc. Additionally, both Microsoft Forms and Google Forms are available through the University’s Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality.
What are these new tools?
- Microsoft Forms is an application available through Microsoft 365. Microsoft Forms is fully integrated with other Microsoft Office programs and Microsoft Teams. Survey files are stored in OneDrive for Business, which features 1 TB of file storage for each eligible student, faculty, and staff member with an account. Microsoft Forms are accessible on Microsoft 365’s website. To learn more about Microsoft Forms, watch training videos on LinkedIn Learning.
- Google Forms is an application found in the Google Workspace/G-Suite. Survey files are stored in Google Drive, which features 3 GB of file storage for each eligible student, faculty, and staff member with an account. Google Forms are accessible via Google Drive. To learn more about Google Forms, watch training videos on LinkedIn Learning.
Below is a chart indicating some of the more common capabilities of each platform:
| Microsoft Forms | Google Forms | |
| Basic survey, quiz, or voting form creation | Yes | Yes |
| Collaborate with other users | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting capabilities (dashboards, data exports, data analytics, etc.) | Yes[1] | Yes[2] |
| Secure file upload | Yes[3] | Yes |
| Legal and regulatory (FERPA and HIPAA compliant) | Yes | No |
| Process automation and workflow capabilities | Yes | Yes |
| Template customization | Yes | Yes |
| Survey branching, display, and skip logic | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple language support | Yes | Yes |
| Create individualized survey links | No | No |
| Anonymous survey submission | Yes[4] | Yes[5] |
| Non-anonymous survey submission | Yes | Yes |
| Prevent multiple submissions (ballot stuffing) | Yes | Yes |
[1] Basic charts, tables, spreadsheets, and analytics are included in Microsoft Forms. Data may be exported to more powerful programs, such as SPSS or Power BI, for more in-depth analysis.
[2] Responses can be linked to a Google Sheet, which can then be exported into more powerful analysis tools.
[3] Only individuals logged into their University of Georgia accounts may upload files to a Microsoft Forms survey. Individuals outside the University of Georgia may be prevented from accessing a survey containing a file-upload question.
[4] Respondents may be required to be logged into their Microsoft account, even if the survey does not collect personally identifiable information. This allows Microsoft to monitor the number of survey submissions for a particular respondent.
[5] Respondents may be required to be logged into their Google account, even if the survey does not collect personally identifiable information. This allows Google to monitor the number of survey submissions for a particular respondent.