Restricting access with a password

Normally we’re happy to get participants from all the ads we post and invitations we send.

In some cases, however, we may want to keep a tree test confidential – for example, if we’re testing the structure of a new site that we want to keep under wraps until it launches.

Some tools offer a way to password-protect a study. That is, the participant not only needs the link, but also a password that we supply. If someone stumbles over our study online, or is forwarded the email inadvertently, they still can’t do the study unless they have the password.

If we’re going to use a password, then, it’s good practice to separate the delivery of the link and the password. If we are emailing invitations, for example, we send the password in a separate email blast, or ask recipients to reply so we can send them the password.

Next: Writing a good invitation