Paper surveys for universities and research institutes

We support longitudinal studies, participant surveys and instruments that have been through ethics approval. Paper is handled in Australia, remains traceable, is retained for a defined period, and is then destroyed or returned as agreed.

Relevant experience: our work spans 10 universities and tertiary institutions across more than 50 projects since 2007. For one university, we support a longitudinal study now in its eleventh year. Our work has included multiple survey rounds across different participant cohorts within the same calendar year.

Organisation counts include identifiable end organisations where CDS performed the work through a research consultancy or other intermediary.

What you need from a paper-mode partner

Design that respects your approved instrument. We combine professional graphic design with specialist form layout, preserving your approved question wording, response options and mandatory statements. We work to institutional or project branding and supplied print or clear print requirements, considering the needs of different participant cohorts. Questionnaires, participant information sheets, instructions and letters can follow a consistent visual approach. Any layout queries are referred back to your research team before approval. See form design and supporting artwork.

Distribution and returns planned separately. Participants do not have to return their forms directly to us. We can mail questionnaires individually while your research team receives the responses and forwards completed forms to CDS in batches. Bulk delivery to campuses, clinics or other study sites through Australia Post or other couriers is also available.

Details you can put in the ethics application. Where the paper goes, who sees it, how long it's kept and how it's destroyed. Our privacy and data handling page describes the process so you can use it in your project documentation. Nothing in the survey-processing workflow leaves Australia.

The same participant, wave after wave. Cohort and panel studies depend on the participant ID. We can print it on the form as digits and as a barcode, return it in every row of your data file, and use it to link each return to the participant list you supplied. Undeliverable mail can also be logged and reported so your team can follow up before the next wave.

Data in the structure you need. Column names and values are agreed with you before delivery. The Excel or CSV file is supplied in the structure you need, and every row can link to the PDF image of that returned form.

Exams and assessments

The same equipment reads answer sheets. For exams, placement tests and course assessments, see our page for education and assessment providers. Education and assessment providers

How the loop applies

Send us the approved instrument and any wording the approval requires, such as the privacy statement, ethics reference and contact details, together with the applicable brand, print or accessibility requirements. We develop the presentation and scannable layout and proof it back to you. We print and personalise with participant IDs and, where mailed, names and addresses for window envelopes.

Distribution can combine individual Australia Post mail-outs with bulk deliveries for hand distribution at lectures, clinics or sites. Completed forms can come directly to CDS, including by Reply Paid where arranged, or first go to your research team or study sites and then reach us in bulk. We agree the return destination and instructions before distribution. See distribution and returns for example arrangements.

Reporting and reminder exclusions use the paper returns, online completions and undeliverable records available at the agreed processing stage. Responses still held by your team or sites are included only when you supply the relevant updates. Forms are held for three months after delivery, or another agreed period, then securely shredded or returned.

Surveys and instruments we typically run for research and teaching

• Longitudinal cohort and panel studies
• Patient and client experience surveys
• School, student and parent surveys
• Membership and alumni surveys
• Tests, exams and assessments

Grant timing

Fieldwork dates are usually fixed by the grant, not by us. Tell us the dates when you ask for a quote and we'll build the schedule around them.