Ensuring Survey Compliance: A Guide to Passing Review

Making Great Surveys for Iowans

Our goal is to create the best surveys possible for the State of Iowa. As we build them, we’re keeping important things in mind—like security, accessibility, and making sure everything matches the State of Iowa’s brand.

This guide is designed to help you successfully navigate and pass the survey review process. As we move toward full launch and continue to learn, the guide may evolve. While the list of expectations may seem long at first, most of these requests are minor—especially once you’re comfortable using Qualtrics. 

With this guide, you’ll be ready to build surveys that meet our standards and serve all Iowans well.

Accessibility

• Help Text

  • Use a font size of at least 12 points, and avoid using italics for text.
    • 
      

• Alt Images

  • Every image must include alt text that describes what the image shows.
    • To learn how to add alt text in the survey builder or when using a library image, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

• Color Contrast and Emphasized Text

  • Avoid using bold, underlining, italics, or color alone to show importance. Instead, combine visual styling with clear language—like adding labels such as “Note:” or “Important:” to make sure the message is understood by everyone, including users with visual impairments.

• Spelling

  • Use your web browser’s built-in spell check to catch spelling errors. Most modern browsers highlight misspelled words automatically, including in the survey builder—just make sure spell check is turned on in your browser settings.

• ExpertReview Compliance Score

  • Review your ExpertReview results to ensure your Compliance Assistant issue type status shows “Pass.”
    • To learn how to find ExpertReview and check your compliance status, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

• Device Review

  • Preview your survey on a mobile device to make sure it displays correctly.
    • To learn how to use mobile preview, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

Methodology

• ExpertReview Methodology Score

  • Review your ExpertReview results to ensure your Methodology issue type status shows “Pass.”
    • To learn how to find ExpertReview and check your Methodology status, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

• ExpertReview Survey Error Score

  • Review your ExpertReview results to ensure your Survey Error issue type status shows “Pass.”
    • To learn how to find ExpertReview and check your Survey Error status, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

• End of Survey Message

  • Make sure your end-of-survey message is clear and customized, so constituents know exactly what to expect next.
    • To learn how to edit the end of survey message, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

• Hyperlinks URLS and Emails within Survey

  • To avoid issues in your survey, always set hyperlinks to open in a new window. This helps ensure a smooth experience for constituents and prevents them from accidentally leaving the survey before submitting their responses.
    • To learn how to add hyperlink in a survey, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.
    • 
  • When displaying an email address in a survey, make it easy for participants to take action. Add a clickable link to the email address so they can start an email directly if they choose to reach out.
    • To learn how to link to an email address in a survey, visit this Qualtrics Support resource.

Branding and Navigation

• Display Name and Survey Description

  • Enter in a clear display name and description for the reason to improve navigation, accessibility, SEO, and user trust.
    • To learn how to enter display name and survey description, visit the How Do I Brand and Theme a Survey? resource.

• Title of the Survey

  • The survey title should be visible on every page and use the correct header tag. This helps participants stay oriented and confident as they move through the survey. It also supports accessibility by making the structure easier to understand for people using screen readers or other assistive tools.
  • To display a header on every page of your survey, go to the 'General' section under the Look & Feel menu in the Qualtrics Survey Builder.
    • To learn how to access and add a header in the Look & Feel menu, visit the How Do I Brand and Theme a Survey? resource.

• Next and Back Button

  • To ensure a consistent navigation experience for our constituents, please use the “Next” and “Back” buttons with the correct wording.
    • To learn how to change the button text in your survey in the Look and Feel menu, visit the How Do I Brand and Theme a Survey? resource.

• Paragraph Styling

  • Using proper paragraph styling is essential for meeting accessibility standards. However, when building surveys, it’s equally important to always use the Default Font style. Do not change the font.
  • The design and CSS styling are already embedded within the survey themes to align with our Iowa branding standards. Applying custom styles can interfere with this consistency.
  • You can view how the formatting appears by using the Preview option for your question or survey. This helps ensure everything displays as expected before publishing.
  • 

    Paragraph Styling

    Default Text at all times

    

    Preview Question

Security

• ExpertReview Sensitive Data Request

  • If your survey collects sensitive data, a warning will appear in ExpertReview. This warning indicates that your data collection may be impacted if you do not notify us through the Listen, Understand, and Act intake process.
  • While collecting sensitive data may be necessary for your survey’s purpose, it is critical that you inform us via the intake form. This allows us to apply an exemption if needed, ensuring your survey meets compliance and governance standards.
  • Be sure to review your ExpertReview results and confirm that the Survey Error issue type status shows “Pass.””
  • Below is an example of the error message you’ll see in ExpertReview. This warning will also appear directly in the Survey Builder.
    • 

      Sensitive Data Requested

      ExpertReview Warning

      

      Sensitive Data Requested

      Survey Builder Warning