This article covers various statistical features available in the People menu, including panel data, community statistics, way of entry statistics, session statistics, panel statistics, master data coverage, and panel quotas. These tools help panel administrators monitor and analyze the composition and activity of their panel population.
Panel Data
The People → Statistics → Panel overview menu provides an overview on the state of the panel population (“panel health”). The key data are presented on tabs.
Panelist Data
This tab features a dynamic evaluation tool for splitting your panelist population by any master data or system master data. To configure, click the Configuration button. Results are graphically represented. Note: Only activated panel statuses are displayed.
Tracking Information
Tracking data for the entire panel. Refer to the “Panel Tracking” chapter for more information.
Panel Projects and Master Data Surveys Online
Lists currently active panel and master data surveys. Click on a project title to view the field report, with results graphically represented.
Completed Panel Projects and Master Data Surveys
Shows panel and master data surveys that have ended within the last 4 weeks.
Group History
Tracks the development of group sizes over time, specifically for groups marked for monitoring.
Marking Groups for Better Monitoring
To simplify tracking of important groups, use the “Monitored groups” feature:
- Special Marking: Groups will be marked in the group list.
- Display Limitation: Use the “Monitored groups” option in the extended search to limit or exclude these groups.
- Group History: Displays development over time (People → Statistics → Panel overview → tab Group history).
To mark a group, navigate to the People → Groups menu, click the Edit group icon, tick the “Mark group as ‘monitored group’” checkbox, and confirm by clicking Save group.
Community Statistics
The Details tab in the People → Statistics → Community statistics menu provides an overview of community activities.
History
The History tab shows the development of various community activities over time. You can perform drill-down analyses using the options under the Configuration button. Possible criteria include:
- Panel group, website, language version
- Option to include activities of deleted panelists
- Type of activity: specific community contents (forum, blog, discussion, chat), section, type of community data (e.g., number of posts and average number per panelist), specific forum discussion (forum topic if forums have been selected)
Details
The following tables provide explanations of the evaluation options and the activity data in the results display.
Evaluation criteria:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Log date from … to | In this area, you can specify which period of time you wish to search. |
| Language version | The invoked language version will be logged and can be used as an evaluation criterion.Please mind that the version logged is the start language version, i.e. the language version in which the respective session is started. |
| Group results | The results can be grouped according to different criteria. Possible grouping criteria include, for example, year/month/day and language version. |
Evaluation results:
| Column title | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Base unitDefault: year/month/day | Base unit defined via the “Group results” field. |
| Number of blog posts | Number of blog posts. |
| Number of blog comments | Number of blog comments. |
| Number of created forum threads | Number of created forum threads. |
| Number of forum posts | Number of forum posts. |
| Number of chat posts | Number of chat posts. |
| Number of discussion posts | Number of discussion posts. |
| Total | Sum of all community posts. |
Way of Entry Statistics
The Way of entry statistics allows you to split up the panel population according to way of entry, e.g. in order to check whether panelists with particular ways of entry are more or less active than average.
- You will find the function in the People → Statistics → Way of entry statistics menu.
Performance data
The following tables provide an overview of the evaluation criteria and the available data.
Evaluation criteria:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sign up from … until | Registration period to be taken into account in the evaluation. |
| Way of entry | The panelists’ way of entry into the panel. |
| Category for ways of entry | The ways of entry into the panel can be organized by categories. |
| Language version | The drop-down list allows you to restrict the evaluation to one particular language version. |
| Group by language version | Optionally, the values of the language versions can be summarized or displayed individually. |
| Group results | The results can be grouped according to various criteria. Available grouping criteria are e.g. way of entry; category; year/month. |
Evaluation results:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Basic unit. Default: Way of entry | Basic unit for evaluation as defined via the “Group results” field. |
| Number of panelists | Number of panelists assigned to the currently selected basic unit, e.g. “Way of entry” or “Category for ways of entry”. |
| Admitted temporarily | Number of panelists holding “Admitted temporarily” status. |
| Active | Number of panelists holding “Active” status. |
| 0 / 1 or more / 1 / 2-5 / 6-10 completed interviews | Number of panelists who have completed 0 / 1 or more / 1 / 2-5 / 6-10 interviews. |
| Completed master data survey (realtime) | Number of panelists who have completed the master data survey. Please note: This value is calculated in real-time, all other values are based on the tracking process and are updated periodically. In the short run, this may result in values that seem to be slightly inconsistent. |
| ø completed interviews | (sum of completed interviews) / (number of panelists) |
| Last registration | Date of the last registration. |
| ø days in panel | (sum of the days which the panelists of the currently selected basic unit spent in the panel) / (number of panelists) |
Distribution
On the Distribution tab, you can also create a graphical representation of your results. The data are selected in the Configurations dialog.
Session Statistics
The Session statistics provide information on the activity of visitors and logged-in panelists on the external view of the panel. The following rules apply:
- Activities of all visitors are logged, not just logged-in panelists.
- A session spans from the first to the last access to the website.
- If a user logs in during a session, all page views in that session count as “performed by logged-in panelists”.
- In panels with multiple language versions, each session is assigned to the initial language version.
Evaluation Options
- Page Views: Split into views by logged-in panelists and unidentified persons.
- Language Version: Session data can be restricted to a specific language version.
- Grouping Criteria: Session data can be grouped by various criteria.
- Export: Data can be exported in Excel and CSV formats.
Advanced Analysis
- Website Log: Individual page views for different language versions.
- Session Data: Available on the Sessions tab in the detail view of individual panelists.
History
On the History tab, you can create graphical representations of your results. The data are selected in the Configurations dialog.
Details
Find the session statistics in the menu People → Statistics → Session statistics on the Details tab. Detailed explanations of the evaluation options and the contents of the session statistics are provided in the tables.
Evaluation criteria:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Date from / to | You can specify the interval for which you wish to view the session data. |
| Language version | The language version of the page views will be logged and can be used for evaluation.The drop-down list allows you to restrict the session data to one particular language version.The individual page views for different language versions of a session are available in the website log.Please note: Each session is assigned completely to the initial language version, i.e. the language version in which the session was started. This is only relevant, however, if there are multiple language versions and visitors or panelists frequently switch between versions. |
| Group results | The session data can be grouped according to various criteria such as day of the week or language version.The default setting is Year / Month / Day. |
Session data:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Unit used for groupingDefault: Year / Month / Day | Base unit selected in the field “Group results” |
| Sessions | Number of sessions in the specified interval |
| Visitors | Number of sessions initiated by persons who cannot be identifed as panelists |
| Panelists | Number of sessions conducted by panelists. This includes all sessions in the course of which the respective person logged in and identified themself as a panelist. |
| Unique panelists | Number of panelists who initiated one or more sessionsA panelist may have initiated multiple sessions within the interval being analysed, therefore the value in the “Unique panelists” column can be smaller than the value in the “Panelists” column. |
| Average number of sessions / panelist | This value indicates how many sessions the panelists have started on average. It is calculated from the ratio of panelists to unique panelists. |
| Average session length | Average length of the sessions |
| Maximum session length | The longest session in the evaluation interval |
| Page views (logged in) | Number of page views which can be referenced to panelists, see above |
| Page views (logged out) | Number of page views initiated by persons who cannot be identifed as panelists |
Panel Statistics
The People → Statistics → Panel statistics menu allows you to create frequency counts based on various criteria like category, group membership, period of entry, panel status, master data, and performance data.
Functional Scope
- Split by Two Characteristics: Analyze data by two variables.
- Combined Results: Print results of several variables in one table block.
- Display Modes: Choose between interlaced, non-interlaced, and cartesian product display modes.
- Predefined Statistics: Predefined statistics for candidate status and language version status over various time intervals.
- Export: Download evaluations in Excel format.
Configuring Panel Statistics
- Load Configuration: If a saved configuration exists, select it from the drop-down list and click Load configuration.
- Define Base: If no saved configuration exists:
- Select Panel Statuses: Choose which panel statuses to include in the evaluation.
- Display Options: Decide how the results should be displayed.
- Select Data: Choose the performance data and/or master data to be evaluated by clicking on the arrow icons to open and close lists.
- Create Statistics: Click Create statistics to generate the report.
- Save Configuration: If you want to reuse the evaluation setup in the future, save the configuration.
- Download Results: Click Excel export of statistics to download the results.
Setting Options in Detail
Base Criteria
You can limit the base of your panel statistics using the following criteria:
- Panel Group Category: Defaults to the standard category if none is specified.
- Panel Group: Defaults to the standard panel group if none is specified.
- Language Version: Select the desired language version.
- Filter: Use grouping filters to refine your selection.
- Split Variables 1 and 2: Options include key system data (u_gender, pstatus, pinput, site_id, reg_code, pci) and all master data.
- Period of Entry into Panel: Define the time frame for panel entry.
- Panel Status: You must select at least one panel status, defaulting to “active” if none is checked.
Display Options
Customize how results are displayed:
- Multiple Variables Display: Choose whether results are displayed in a single or separate table blocks. For a single table block, check “Display results for all variables in the same table block”.
- Display Modes for Multiple Split Variables:
- Nested: Shows all possible combinations of split variable characteristics for each characteristic of the analyzed variable.
- Side-by-Side: Separately counts frequencies and sums of characteristics for split variables, showing percentages.
- Cartesian Product: Lists frequency and percentage for each combination of characteristics from the analyzed variable and split variable(s).
Performance Data
There is a variety of important performance data at your disposal: u_gender, pstatus, pinput, md_status, md_num_updates, md_num_invites, reg_code, site_id, and pci.
Additionally, you can also use all tracking variables.
Master Data
All master data with answer categories are available, and you can limit the list to specific master data categories for clarity. Text variables can be made available for specific analysis scenarios upon request to support.
Saving and Deleting Configurations
Saving Configuration
You can save your configuration for future use. Enter the title and select the evaluation period in the “Saving the configuration of panel statistics” section above the evaluation.
Deleting Configuration
To delete an existing configuration, go to the settings dialog, select the configuration from the “Configuration” drop-down list, and click the Delete configuration button.
Master Data Coverage
Importance of Master Data Coverage
To ensure high-quality data collection, it’s essential to have comprehensive master data for all panelists. Incomplete data can hinder group creation, sampling, and data evaluation. ESOMAR guidelines recommend publishing a list of master data available for all panelists. EFS provides daily updates on master data coverage.
Viewing Master Data Coverage
You can find master data coverage in the People → Statistics → Master data coverage menu on the Master data coverage and Master data coverage (grouped) tabs.
Master Data Coverage for Individual Items
The Master data coverage tab displays the coverage details for each master data item, including:
- Variable Type: Type of the master data variable.
- Title: Clickable link to the edit dialog.
- Internal Variable Name: The system’s name for the variable.
- Data Type: Type of data stored in the variable.
- Master Data Category: The category the master data belongs to.
Three columns show coverage values:
- Entry Exists: Number of panelists with an entry for the variable.
- No Entry Exists: Number of panelists without an entry for the variable.
- Percentage of Existing Entries: Percentage of panelists with an entry out of the total panelists.
All panelists are considered, except those with the status “deleted” and “tester”.
Modifying and Restricting Display
You can modify or restrict the display using the following options:
- Column Sorting: Click on column titles to sort the table by that column.
- Extended Search: Search and restrict criteria by internal variable name, title, category, data and variable type, panel status, language version, and gender.
- View Function: Display or hide columns and change the number of lines per page.
The master data coverage figures are updated daily, and you can choose to activate or deactivate this function based on your needs.
Master Data Coverage (Grouped)
Overview
The Master data coverage (grouped) tab provides coverage figures for each master data category. It displays:
- Entry Exists: Total entries available for master data in each category.
- No Entry Exists: Total missing entries for master data in each category.
- Percentage of Existing Entries: Percentage of existing entries relative to the total required entries for each category.
Configuring Daily Updates
You can activate and schedule daily updates for master data coverage, preferably during low-traffic periods (default is 00:00 GMT). Adjust this time based on your panel’s time zone for optimal performance.
Steps to Configure Updates
- Go to People → Statistics → Master data coverage and open the Configuration tab.
- If the update is already active, you’ll see the times of the last and next scheduled update.
- If not activated, check the box in the Activate field.
- In the Time of update field, set the desired daily update time (default is 00:00 GMT).
- Click Save to confirm the settings.
These steps ensure your master data coverage is assessed regularly, helping maintain data quality and completeness.
Panel Quotas
Overview
In the People → Statistics → Panel quotas menu, you can define multidimensional quotas for statistical evaluation. This feature allows you to set target values for combinations of master data variables (e.g., age, gender, region) and compare them with actual values to manage panel composition effectively.
Key Features:
- Multiple independent quotas per panel.
- Up to 8 variables per quota.
- Use of all master data with defined characteristics, panel status (pstatus), language version (site_id), and gender (u_gender) as quota variables.
- Regular updates of actual values (not in real-time).
- Quotas are for statistical purposes only and do not affect prospective panelist registration.
Quota Overview
In the Panel quotas menu, the existing quotas are listed with the number of used variables and the date of the last update. Actions available include:
- Edit quota: Modify the quota properties.
- Show cell values: View target and actual values.
- Upload target values: Import target values.
- Delete: Remove the quota.
Creating a Quota
- Click Create quota.
- Enter a title.
- Select a grouping filter for actual allocation.
- Choose the desired quota variables.
- Confirm by clicking Add quota.
To edit quota properties later, use the Edit quota icon.
Preparing an Import File
Create a CSV file with:
- A column for each selected quota variable (title in the first line).
- A column titled “target” for target values.
- The first line with column titles, followed by target values for all possible combinations of the quota variables.
Importing Target Values
- Go to the quota overview.
- Click the Upload target values icon for the desired quota.
- Import the data.
- A success message will confirm the import.
Viewing Actual and Target Values
- Go to the quota overview.
- Click the Show quota allocation icon for the desired quota.
- The target and actual values for each cell will be displayed.
Note: Actual values are not updated in real-time. The most recent update time is shown, and you can manually update if needed.
Exporting Actual and Target Values
Click one of the Export buttons above the quota allocation:
- Export (values and labels): Includes coded quota definitions, labels, and values.
- Export (values): Includes only coded quota definitions and values.
FAQ
How often are master data coverage figures updated?
Master data coverage figures are updated once a day. The update time can be configured, with the default set to 00:00 GMT.
Can I use text variables in panel statistics?
Text variables can be made available for panel statistics, but this requires configuration by support and is only recommended for specific analysis scenarios.
How many variables can be used in a panel quota?
Up to 8 variables may be used in each panel quota.