Graduate survey - current procedure

Which browsers are supported?
To the best of our knowledge, all javascript-enabled browsers are supported. Occasionally, some browsers may display the website differently.

Why do I have to enter an access code?
The access code ensures that only those people who belong to our target group take part in the survey. It also allows you to interrupt the survey at any time and continue at a later date by logging in again with your access code.

What happens to my answers?
During the survey phase, your answers are initially stored on a server of the ISTAT survey institute. The survey data is transmitted via an encrypted connection. Your name, address and, if applicable, your e-mail address are not included in this database.

When are the answers saved?
Your answers are only saved when you leave a page by clicking on the "Next" or "Back" buttons.

Can I correct my answers?
You can correct your answers at any time. Only the last entry for each question is saved in the database.
For all questions where you have to click on a box or circle to answer, you can reset the checkmark or radio button by simply clicking on the corresponding field again.
In addition, for questions where you have to click on a circle to answer, the radio buttons are reset when you click on another field.

Can I continue the survey at a later time?
You can interrupt the survey at any time. If you continue the survey at a later time, the information you have already provided will be included in the form.

Why do questions sometimes go missing?
It can happen that individual questions are "missing" because they do not fit your situation. For example, if you do not have any children, the question about the number of children is superfluous and inappropriate for your situation. In this case, the question about the number of children and the corresponding question number would be "missing".

What happens to my address details?
Your address data, which you may enter in the online questionnaire, will be stored together with the access code you received by post or e-mail in a separate database from the survey data. The data is transmitted by the browser via an encrypted connection.

Can I be identified by combinations of characteristics, e.g. subject area and institution?
When displaying the results, care is taken to ensure that individuals cannot be identified. For example, if there is only one female graduate in a subject area, the results for this subject area are not shown separately by gender.

1. How does the university obtain my address data?
The addresses of graduates at the time of completion of their studies were collected and stored in electronic form on the basis of the statutes on the collection and processing of personal data at the university. This address data is compiled exclusively for the purpose of conducting the graduate survey and handed over to the responsible coordinators of the project.

2. Why is the university allowed to use my address data for the graduate survey?
Address data may only be transmitted and used within the university if it serves the fulfillment of academic tasks and / or the fulfillment of the university's tasks. Both conditions are fulfilled in the context of this graduate study:
1.) The graduate study is carried out in cooperation with over 80 universities under the coordination of the Institute for Applied Statistics (ISTAT). As part of the nationwide cooperation project, ISTAT creates a cross-university dataset containing the data of all graduates of the participating universities and evaluates the anonymized data exclusively for scientific purposes in the context of university and graduate research.
2.) The results of the study are to be used for the purposes of research and quality assurance of teaching and studies within the university. Therefore, the response data will be forwarded to the inviting university for the survey without personal data.
The stored address data will not be used for any other purposes than for invitations and reminders to participate in the graduate survey.
The address data is processed exclusively by employees of the university.
All employees who have access to the personal data as part of the project are subject to the applicable data protection law. In this context, the disclosure of address data to third parties is strictly prohibited, even if the employees no longer work at the university.

3. What is the access code for?
Each graduate is allocated a randomly generated access code. With the help of this code, the respondents can take part in the online survey (protection against so-called "external fillers" is thus sufficiently guaranteed) and also interrupt the survey without data loss.

4. What happens during the online survey?
When you take part in the online survey, you register on the Internet with your access code to take part in the anonymized online survey.
During the survey phase, your answers will initially be stored on a server at the University of Kassel's computer center. The survey data is transmitted via an unencrypted connection.
At the end of the online questionnaire, you will be asked about your willingness to participate in the follow-up study in 3 to 4 years. The e-mail address voluntarily provided and stored at the end of the questionnaire will not be used for any other purpose than for the invitation to the follow-up survey.
Any e-mail address provided will be stored on a server directly at ISTAT via an encrypted connection. This address is never stored together with your survey data in a file. In this respect, the survey data is completely anonymous from ISTAT's point of view at all times during the survey.
After completion of the survey phase, the survey data is processed by ISTAT and statistically analyzed as part of university and graduate research. In addition, your university receives the survey data for its own evaluations.

5. What is ISTAT?
The Institute for Applied Statistics is a spin-off of the University of Kassel. The center has been active in higher education research for 30 years and enjoys worldwide recognition in this field. Information on the research project and ISTAT can be found at: https://istat.de/en/
All ISTAT employees are also subject to the applicable data protection law. This means that these employees are also strictly prohibited from passing on address data to third parties.

6. Publications
ISTAT creates a cross-university dataset containing the details of all graduates from the universities involved in the project. This anonymized data is evaluated exclusively for scientific purposes in the context of university and graduate research and the corresponding results are published. None of ISTAT's publications can be traced back to individual universities or persons.

7. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Saskia Skonetzki (qm-lehre@rub.de).

Data protection officer:
Dr. Kai-Uwe Loser
https://dsb.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/