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Default Meta Variables

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    Default meta variables store the most essential information for each participant. This information is used for analysis and debugging purposes, and can be seen when running reports or downloading data. 

    When you run a report in Crosstabs, the contents of that report will appear, including the survey questions and answer options, as well as data for any virtual (hidden) questions your survey may contain. The report also includes additional information that is collected by default, such as the total interview time and the browser used by the participant.

    Below is a list of all available default meta variables. In reports, the data for these variables will appear in virtual tables labeled with the attribute name.

    1:  Data Downloads

    The following meta variables appear in all data downloads.

    Attribute Description
    record

    Unique numeric identifier per survey. Starts at 1 and increments for each participant that enters.
    uuid Random 16-digit alpha-numeric character.
    date Completion date of the participant. local server time.
    markers System markers set by the project creator or survey platform. e.g. quotas, data editor, partials.
    status The participant status type. 1=Term, 2=Overquota, 3=Qualified, 4=Partial.
    vlist The participant's sample source; specifically, the list value with which the participant entered the survey.
    qtime The amount of time the participant spent to take the survey, measured in both seconds, and as a % of seconds.
    vos The desktop operating system used by the participant. Based off of the userAgent variable.
    vbrowser The web browser used by the participant. Based off theuserAgent variable.
    vdropout

    If applicable.

    The last question the participant viewed before exiting the survey or closing their web browser without completing the survey.

    Only available in surveys where auto recovery of data is enabled. See Automatic Partial Recovery Technical Considerations.
    vmobiledevice

    If applicable.

    The category of mobile device used by the participant. Based off of thedcua variable.
    vmobileos

    If applicable.

    The operating system of the mobile device used by the participant. Based off the dcua variable.
    start_date The time and date that the participant started the survey. Local server time.
    source Usually blank, but will be populated with the participant's source value (unique identifier) when used within the Campaign Manager.
    ipAddress The IP address used by the participant.
    decLang

    If applicable.

    The language in which the participant viewed the survey. Saved as a "text/string" variable type for multi-language surveys.
    vdecLang Single-select representation of the decLang variable.
    _tcx

    If applicable; must be requested and enabled before field.

    Indicates whether or not a row in a multi-select question was enabled and visible to the participant, generating blank results if it is not seen. Displays data for all multi-select questions in the survey.

    Note: This only applies to surveys that are non-delphi and under compat 151.
    list Similar to vlist, just saved as a "text/string" variable type.
    userAgent The user agent for the web browser/operating system used by the participant.
    dcua

    If applicable.

    The userAgent for the mobile device category/operating system used by the participant.

    First character:

    • 's' - 'Smartphone'

    • 'f' - 'Featurephone'

    • 't' - 'Tablet'

    • 'm' - 'Other mobile'

    • '.' - 'Desktop'

    Second character:

    • 'a' - 'Android'

    • 's' -'Symbian'

    • 'w' -'Windows Phone'

    • 'b' - 'Blackberry'

    • '.' - 'Other/Desktop’
    session The web browser cookie that was set for the participant.
    url The URL with which the participant entered the survey.
    latitude

    Requires compat 139+.

    Available only for offline surveys or online surveys using the CAPI app. The participant's positional latitude.

    Note:  The Forsta Surveys CAPI mobile app is no longer available. Please see Forsta Plus CAPI Platform Overview for information on our improved CAPI solution.
    longitude

    Requires compat 139+.

    Available only for offline surveys or online surveys using the CAPI app. The participant's positional longitude.

    Note:  The Forsta Surveys CAPI mobile app is no longer available. Please see Forsta Plus CAPI Platform Overview for information on our improved CAPI solution.
    device_id

    Requires compat 139+.

    Available only for offline surveys or online surveys using the CAPI app. The participant's device ID.

    Note:  The Forsta Surveys CAPI mobile app is no longer available. Please see Forsta Plus CAPI Platform Overview for information on our improved CAPI solution.

    2:  Reports

    The following meta variables appear in all reports as hidden virtual questions.

    Attribute Question Name  Description
    conditions Conditions

    If applicable.

    The data for logic conditions in each named condition in the survey (i.e., logic conditions that use "save as" and are named in the Survey Editor).
    status Participant Status The participant status type. 1=Term, 2=Overquota, 3=Qualified, 4=Partial.
    vlist Sample source The participant's sample source; specifically, the list value with which the participant entered the survey.
    qtime Total Interview Time The amount of time the participant spent to take the survey, measured in both seconds, and as a % of seconds.
    vos Operating System The desktop operating system used by the participant. Based off of the userAgent variable.
    vbrowser Browser The web browser used by the participant. Based off theuserAgent variable.
    vmobiledevice Mobile Device

    If applicable.

    The category of mobile device used by the participant. Based off of thedcua variable.
    vmobileos Mobile Operating System

    If applicable.

    The operating system of the mobile device used by the participant. Based off the dcua variable.
    voqtable Overquotas: [quota label]

    If applicable.

    The overquota data for each quota in the survey.
    vqtable Quotas: [quota label]

    If applicable. 

    The data for each quota in the survey.
    vterm Terminates

    The data for terminates that screen participants out from the survey.

    This table automatically generates for surveys with compat levels 133+.
    vdropout Last seen question

    If applicable.

    The last question the participant viewed before exiting the survey or closing their web browser without completing the survey.

    Only available in surveys where auto recovery of data is enabled. See Automatic Partial Recovery Technical Considerations
    decLang Language Tracker

    If applicable.

    The language in which the participant viewed the survey. Saved as a "text/string" variable type for multi-language surveys.
    vdecLang Single-select representation of the decLang variable.
    _tcx Checkbox tracker

    If applicable; must be requested and enabled before field.

    Indicates whether or not a row in a multi-select question was enabled and visible to the participant, generating blank results if it is not seen. Displays data for all multi-select questions in the survey.
    latitude Latitude Tracker

    Requires compat 139+.

    Available only for offline surveys or online surveys using the CAPI app. The participant's positional latitude.

    Note:  The Forsta Surveys CAPI mobile app is no longer available. Please see Forsta Plus CAPI Platform Overview for information on our improved CAPI solution.
    longitude Longitude Tracker

    Requires compat 139+.

    Available only for offline surveys or online surveys using the CAPI app. The participant's positional longitude.

    Note:  The Forsta Surveys CAPI mobile app is no longer available. Please see Forsta Plus CAPI Platform Overview for information on our improved CAPI solution.
    device_id Device ID Tracker

    Requires compat 139+.

    Available only for offline surveys or online surveys using the CAPI app. The participant's device ID.

    Note:  The Forsta Surveys CAPI mobile app is no longer available. Please see Forsta Plus CAPI Platform Overview for information on our improved CAPI solution.
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