How to: Blocked words

Introduction

When open text questions have been used in a survey, it can sometimes be desirable to block some words from the reporting. Open text questions are usually reported in verbatim, word cloud or themed formats. In verbatims and word clouds the content of responses is directly used to create the reporting. Common examples of where this may cause a problem include when respondents disclose pii or sensitive data within their answer (such as identifying themselves or someone else) or perhaps when explicit language has been used and it is desirable to remove these words from reporting. Blocked words can be used to prevent words from showing in reporting.

Steps to adding blocked words to a survey

1. Open the editor for the desired survey.
2. Navigate to the Advanced tab and select the [Blocked words] near the bottom of the page. A blocked words editor will appear.
3. Add words to the blocked words list by clicking the [+ add blocked word] button and inputting a word into the text box, repeat this for each word.
4. It is a good idea to include likely or common mis-spellings of words so they don’t get through to reporting either (For example, for Susan also including Soosan).
5. There is a checkbox to include the Global blocked words list. Ticking this checkbox will include the global blocked words list saved in the system. This saves on adding words to the list at the survey level which are commonly blocked, such as common swears or names.
6. Click the [Save] button to save all changes made to the blocked words editor.
7. Reporting that includes any of the listed blocked words will now output those words as an “X”.

Adding blocked words to the global list

Users with an admin role can access and edit the global blocked word list by navigating to the Settings tab in the Admin page. This editor works in the same way as the survey level editor. Any words listed here will be blocked in reporting if the global list is included in the block list for the survey.