While Designing your Indeemo Project, it's important to plan your task list.
A task list is made of
- Introduction
- A series of Tasks
- Completion Message
Where?
Draft directly in your Indeemo Dashboard - here's how
or
Download a Task List template here: The Task List Template
Introduction
This is the first thing the respondent sees when accessing their task list in the app.
- Welcome the Respondent to the project,
- Explain the purpose of the project (what you generally need them to do),
- Confirm the duration of the project.
- Confirm how many tasks in total they will need to complete.
- If there is an out of home component, e.g. a shopping mission, please also mention this here so they can plan ahead.
- We recommend you include your name and contact email in case they have any issues.
Finally, you can also embed an intro selfie video from yourself after the project has been set up via the Manage projects tab on Indeemo.
Tasks
A 'task' is an activity or series of questions bundled together.
These can include video responses, open-ended questions, diary-style reflections, photo uploads and more.
Your tasks should be light touch, easy to understand and clearly explained.
Ideally, a task should fit within the screen of a smartphone to avoid too much scrolling.
Multiple smaller tasks are better than fewer essay-like tasks.
How many questions in a task?
2-4 questions is the ideal number.
The more questions you compile into one task, the more likely it is that respondents will submit shorter answers for each question within that task.
- Therefore, the more important a question is, the more it warrants being in a separate task.
Learn more here: Design your Tasks
Choose how tasks are released
While creating your task list, you will need to choose the 'Task List Type'.
That is, how the tasks will be released to respondents.
There are 4 options - choose 1 option per task list.
1. All at Once Tasking
Should you use "All at Once" tasking?
Do you want respondents to have the flexibility to complete tasks in their own time and order?
Are you comfortable with respondents potentially working on tasks out of sequence?
What is "All at Once" tasking?
This method allows respondents to see and complete all tasks immediately after logging into the app. They can choose the order in which they complete the tasks, providing maximum flexibility.
Freedom and Flexibility: Respondents are free to tackle tasks in any order they prefer.
Ideal for Time-sensitive Projects: If you want respondents to complete tasks without being constrained by a strict schedule or sequence, this method is the most flexible.
This approach is ideal for projects where time is less of a concern, and you want to empower respondents to manage their own pace.
2. Scheduled Tasking
Should you use "Scheduled" tasking?
Are you concerned about overwhelming respondents with too many tasks at once?
Do you need tasks to be linked to a specific timeline?
What is "Scheduled" tasking?
Scheduled tasking releases tasks to respondents at specific dates and times. Even if respondents haven't completed previous tasks, they will still receive new tasks based on your schedule.
Prevent Overwhelm: If you have many tasks, this approach helps break them up into manageable chunks and sends notifications to remind respondents when new tasks are available.
Time-Specific Tasks: Ideal for tasks tied to specific events or times, such as completing a survey after a particular event or viewing content during a scheduled period.
Task End Dates:
Tasks can also be set to disappear from respondents’ lists once the end date passes. However, we recommend avoiding end dates as they can limit the window for data collection. If you must use them, set a reasonable duration (e.g., 24 hours or longer) to avoid limiting response rates.
3. Sequential Tasking
Should you use "Sequential" tasking?
Do you need respondents to complete tasks in a specific order?
Do you want to control the flow of tasks and ensure they are completed one step at a time?
What is "Sequential" tasking?
Sequential tasking restricts respondents from viewing or completing tasks until they’ve finished the current one. This method ensures that each respondent works through the tasks in the exact order you’ve designed.
There are two types of sequential tasking:
Sequential Tasking: Immediate
Tasks are released one at a time. Once a respondent finishes a task, the next task is unlocked.
Notifications are sent to remind respondents when the next task is available.
If a respondent doesn't meet the minimum requirements for a task, they won’t be able to access the next one.
Sequential Tasking: "No sooner than"
Same as Type 1, but in addition, tasks can scheduled to start on specific days.
Respondents must complete each task in the scheduled order before receiving the next one.
Both task completion and the scheduled release time must align before the next task is unlocked.
When to use Sequential Tasking?
Sequential tasking is the most rigid of the three methods, but it’s also the best option when you need a strict order. For example, it’s ideal for projects where respondents must follow a prescribed flow, such as completing a survey with dependent questions or taking part in a step-by-step process
Summary: Which Method Should You Choose?
All at Once Tasking is the most flexible and gives respondents full control over their tasks. Best when you want them to complete tasks at their own pace without restrictions.
Scheduled Tasking is useful when you have many tasks and need to space them out over time or when tasks are tied to specific events or times.
Sequential Tasking is the most rigid method and should only be used if task completion must occur in a particular order, or when a strict sequence is necessary for your research.
All at Once Task Type (video)