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Qualtrics Configuration

With the web-based implementation of M2C2kit assessments, it is possible for them to be embedded via Qualtrics, REDCap, and MetricWire (as well as anything else with a WebView).

This guide contains instructions for using the Qualtrics QSF generator and creating embedded M2C2kit tasks in Qualtrics.
🔗 QSF Generator on GitHub

The Mobile Monitoring of Cognitive Change (M2C2) assessments were developed as part of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Grant U2CAG060408. Please acknowledge this grant in your presentations and publications as this recognition helps us track and report to the NIA about our dissemination activities and their impact. Your support in this regard is greatly appreciated!

Please use the following acknowledgment for presentations and manuscripts: "This work utilized Mobile Monitoring for Cognitive Change (M2C2) assessments developed under NIA Grant U2CAG060408."

About This QSF Qualtrics Generator​

This tool is designed to create a QSF file for M2C2 cognitive activities, allowing for integration into Qualtrics. Once generated, the QSF file will need to be imported into Qualtrics, after which you can add survey questions as desired.

⚠️ Note: JavaScript must be enabled for this tool, which is not available in the free version of Qualtrics.

Steps to Generate the QSF File​

  1. Download and launch qualtrics-qsf-generator.html in your browser.
  2. Drag and drop tasks to arrange the desired order.
  3. Input the number of trials for each task.
  4. Add any additional parameters (key:value, comma-separated, no spaces).
  5. Optionally toggle:
    • Auto-advance/submit on M2C2 session end
    • Language selection
  6. Click the Generate Qualtrics QSF File button.
  7. Click the download link to retrieve your .qsf file.

How to Import the QSF File into Qualtrics​

  1. Go to Qualtrics and create a new project.
  2. Select Survey and click Get Started.
  3. Enter your project name.
  4. From the dropdown, select Import a QSF file.
  5. Choose the .qsf file you downloaded.
  6. Click Create Project.

🔗 Qualtrics Import Guide

Finalize & Publish​

  • Test your survey thoroughly.
  • ⚠️ Important: After testing, update the embedded data field M2C2_DEBUG to FALSE.
  • Publish your Qualtrics survey and begin data collection.

Participant Management Options​

You have two main options:

1. Contact List Method​

  • Create a List with these columns:
    • M2C2_PARTICIPANT_ID
    • M2C2_SESSION_ID
    • M2C2_GROUP_ID
    • M2C2_WAVE_ID
  • Qualtrics will automatically pipe this into each record.
  • Use the anonymous distribution link.
  • APPEND key-value pairs in the URL: 
    ?M2C2_PARTICIPANT_ID=xyz&M2C2_SESSION_ID=abc&M2C2_GROUP_ID=123&M2C2_WAVE_ID=001

✅ Recommendation: Test your deployment strategy to ensure proper data collection and processing.

M2C2_PARTICIPANT_ID:
An ID assigned to each participant. This value should remain constant for a given participant across all surveys and sessions.

M2C2_SESSION_ID:
A unique identifier representing a single M2C2 session or administration (e.g., a specific timepoint the participant completed a task). If you don’t do this, you will have to go by timestamps. Example (0, 1, 2, 3, 4)
*Note. This will be whatever is typed in (what you entered) and will not be automated by Qualtrics or our system.

M2C2_GROUP_ID:
An optional variable used to identify participant groups (e.g., intervention vs. control, age cohort, condition type). Useful for stratified analyses.
*Note. Can be a string or numeric

M2C2_WAVE_ID:
Indicates the wave or burst of data collection (e.g., pre-test, post-test, follow-up, or Wave 1, 2, 3). Particularly useful in longitudinal or repeated measures studies.
*Note. Can be a string or numeric