Participant screening software for survey research
Recruit people who match your research question, then give everyone a clear path through the screener. Combine eligibility questions, branching, screen-out endings, and quotas in the same survey.
In practice
Screen for recent experience, not the answer you want
For a study of grocery delivery, ask which shopping methods someone used in the last 30 days, with plausible alternatives and a none option. Route people with relevant experience to the study and everyone else to a clear ending. Avoid announcing the exact qualifying answer before they respond.
Translate eligibility into neutral questions
Write down your inclusion criteria before drafting. Separate recent behavior, role, and experience into distinct questions. Include options that let an ineligible participant answer honestly instead of forcing the nearest qualifying choice.
Connect answers to the next step
Use branching to send eligible participants forward and screening rules for those who do not qualify. Test every exit and eligibility combination in preview, including skipped or optional answers. Keep any consent gate ahead of the research questions it governs.
Use quotas for the sample you actually need
Eligibility and quotas solve different problems. Eligibility says who belongs in the study; a quota limits how many responses you collect for a segment. Plan cells around your intended analysis, and give participants a clear ending when a cell has filled.
Test the panel round trip
For a Prolific study, use the panel URL parameters, configure the appropriate completion behavior, and verify each completion and screen-out path against your panel setup. Confirm the current panel rules before launch; a survey exit does not by itself determine payment or recruitment eligibility.
Set it up in Plumeform
- 1List inclusion criteria and target quota cells.
- 2Write neutral questions and configure each qualifying and screen-out path.
- 3Run a test participant through every branch and inspect the captured IDs.
- 4Pilot with a small group, review eligibility rates, and then open recruitment.
Basic branching is available on Free. Advanced screening and quota controls are Pro features. Recruitment and participant payments remain with your panel or recruitment process.
A useful next step
Question design, quota planning, and practical screen-out considerations.
Read the sample questions, then adapt the wording and logic to your eligibility criteria.
Set up participant IDs, completion codes, and your pre-launch test.