How to Run a Multilingual Survey

Set respondent-facing interface language, document fielding language, and keep translated instruments reviewable.

Build a customer survey More Academic Guides

The Short Version

Set respondent-facing interface language, document fielding language, and keep translated instruments reviewable. A practical way to begin is to open the survey setup page, then choose a respondent UI language preset. Finish by making sure you print the survey instrument or export the IRB packet so the language, display title, logo status, and key labels are documented. The full walkthrough below explains each part in order.

Is This Guide for You?

Researchers fielding surveys in Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, English, or a custom translated respondent interface.

Follow These Steps

Work through these 7 steps at your own pace. The wording is intentionally practical, and you can return to the checklist at the end when you are ready to review your work.

Open the survey setup page.
Choose a respondent UI language preset.
Review and edit the button labels, progress labels, and respondent-page text.
Write or paste translated consent text, question wording, stimuli, attributes, and levels yourself.
Add a display title and logo if the survey should appear under a university, lab, or project name.
Preview the full respondent flow on desktop and mobile.
Print the survey instrument or export the IRB packet so the language, display title, logo status, and key labels are documented.

What This Helps You Accomplish

Multilingual fielding is not just a display issue. Reviewers, IRBs, and coauthors need to know what respondents saw, what language the interface used, and whether translated scientific content was reviewed before launch. Conjoint Survey stores the respondent UI language and branding settings with the design so exports match the fielded instrument.

A Quick Confidence Check

Use the preset for buttons and platform text, not as a substitute for translating the actual research instrument.
Have consent text, treatments, attributes, levels, and outcomes reviewed by a qualified speaker before fielding.
Preview long labels on mobile because translated text can expand.
Use externally hosted image or logo URLs only when the image host and consent language fit your privacy protocol.
Keep the printed survey instrument with IRB and preregistration records.
If running multiple languages, duplicate the survey so each language has its own stable instrument and URL.

Common Questions

Can I use this guide if I am new to this?

Yes. Researchers fielding surveys in Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, English, or a custom translated respondent interface. Follow the steps in order, start with a small test, and use the final checklist before you field or report anything important.

What is the simplest way to get started?

Begin by open the survey setup page. Next, choose a respondent UI language preset. You do not need to perfect every setting before running a small preview or pilot.

How do I know when I am ready?

Use the confidence check above. In particular: Use the preset for buttons and platform text, not as a substitute for translating the actual research instrument. Have consent text, treatments, attributes, levels, and outcomes reviewed by a qualified speaker before fielding. Preview long labels on mobile because translated text can expand. Use externally hosted image or logo URLs only when the image host and consent language fit your privacy protocol. When the decision is consequential, keep your study documentation and ask a qualified colleague or methods reviewer to examine the design as well.

Research Pathways

Build a customer survey Back to Guides Validation Methodology Pricing

Product names and fielding platforms mentioned in this guide belong to their respective owners. Conjoint Survey is an independent academic research tool and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by those services.