Anonymous vs Attributed

Choosing between an anonymous and attributed employee survey.

Brett Hellman avatar
Written by Brett Hellman
Updated this week

Overview

In Matter, both anonymous and attributed survey responses are available options, with anonymous set as the default to maximize recipient comfort and candor. Understanding the difference between these two options can help you decide the best approach for your survey goals.


Anonymous Surveys

Anonymous surveys do not track or display any identifying information about respondents. This anonymity helps to make recipients feel safe, often leading to more honest and higher-quality feedback. In anonymous surveys, recipients can be given the option to leave their names voluntarily if they wish to make themselves available for follow-up.

Attributed Surveys

Attributed surveys link each response to the respondent's identity. This option is beneficial when responses might require further clarification or when the feedback is tied to specific individuals or roles. Attributed surveys can be particularly useful for follow-ups.

How to Set the Anonymity Settings

  1. Open the Matter Web App.

  2. Click "Surveys" in the navigation menu.

  3. Click on "New Survey" in the top right of the screen.

  4. Select your preference in the "Survey Anonymity" section.

Results and Reporting

The results page for your surveys will reflect the chosen anonymity setting:

  • Viewing Results: You can view the aggregated results in your dashboard, where the type of responses (anonymous or attributed) will be clearly indicated.

  • Exporting Data: When you download the survey results into an Excel file, the anonymity setting will also be reflected in the reports, ensuring consistency and privacy throughout the entire experience.

Member Experience

When members are invited to complete a survey through Matter on Slack or Microsoft Teams, the anonymity setting will always be clearly communicated from start to finish. This transparency ensures that participants are fully aware of whether their responses are anonymous or attributed.

Anonymous Example

Attributed Example

Maintaining clarity and trust from start to finish helps ensure that everyone feel secure and informed about the privacy of their responses, enhancing the quality of the feedback they provide.

Important Note

Once a survey has been launched, the anonymity setting cannot be changed. This measure is to protect the integrity of the data and the expectations set with respondents at the time of survey completion.

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