Qualtrics — Finally Built for Physics Education Researchers
We solve the hardest Qualtrics problems PER labs face every day: LaTeX rendering inside survey items, randomized question blocks, longitudinal student tracking, and automated pipelines to R & Python — all without the painful workarounds.
Why Off-the-Shelf Qualtrics Fails Physics Education Researchers
We've heard these from PER labs repeatedly. They're not edge cases — they're the norm.
LaTeX Equations Break or Don't Render
You need \vec{F} = m\vec{a} to display properly inside survey items. Qualtrics out-of-the-box just shows raw code — making your carefully crafted physics questions unreadable to students.
No True Randomized Item Presentation
Counterbalancing question order or randomly assigning students to instrument versions (e.g., FCI form A vs B) requires complex block randomization that Qualtrics's native tools handle poorly — leading to order-effect bias in your data.
Longitudinal Tracking Is a Manual Nightmare
Linking a student's pre-test to their post-test, mid-semester check-in, and end-of-year follow-up without reliable participant IDs or SONA integration means hours of manual CSV merging every semester.
Manual CSV Exports to R/Python
Every time a wave closes, someone on your team manually downloads the CSV, cleans it, and reruns the analysis scripts. This is not reproducible science — and it introduces human error at every step.
Physics Diagrams & Figures Don't Scale
Embedding free-body diagrams, circuit schematics, or wave interference figures in survey items that remain sharp on mobile, tablet, and desktop — while maintaining accessibility — is something Qualtrics was never designed to handle elegantly.
IRB Compliance & FERPA Data Handling
Using Qualtrics with student participants requires careful handling of anonymous vs. identified data, consent flows, and FERPA-compliant data storage. Most PER labs cobble this together inconsistently — a real risk come IRB renewal time.
Problems Solved At
OSU Physics & Beyond
We've Solved These Problems — In Production, For Real PER Labs
Working with the Physics Education Research group at The Ohio State University, Ontoborn engineered custom Qualtrics solutions that handle every one of these pain points. The result: surveys that look right, data that flows automatically, and researchers who can focus on science instead of spreadsheets.
- MathJax/KaTeX injected into Qualtrics for pixel-perfect LaTeX rendering
- Fully randomized block designs with counterbalancing across student cohorts
- SONA Systems integration for automated participant ID tracking across waves
- Qualtrics API pipeline pushing clean data directly into R analysis scripts nightly
- IRB-compliant consent flows with anonymized data routing built in
Ontoborn's team has spent over a decade building research-grade software for institutions like The Ohio State University. We bring that same engineering precision to Qualtrics — so your surveys work exactly the way your study demands.
What We Build for PER Labs
Each solution is designed around the specific methodological demands of physics education research.
LaTeX & MathJax Rendering
We inject MathJax or KaTeX directly into your Qualtrics survey pages so physics equations, vectors, and symbols render pixel-perfectly — on every device, in every question type, without hacks.
Randomized Block & Counterbalanced Designs
True randomization at the item and block level, across participant cohorts. Assign students to FCI form A vs B, counterbalance question order, or build within-subjects designs that eliminate order effects.
API Pipeline to R & Python
Automate data flow from Qualtrics directly into your R or Python analysis scripts. No more manual CSV exports — responses stream nightly into clean, analysis-ready data frames.
SONA Systems & Prolific Integration
Seamlessly connect Qualtrics with SONA Systems for participant pool management, credit assignment, and unique ID tracking across longitudinal waves — no more manual matching spreadsheets.
Pre/Post & Longitudinal Study Automation
Automated pre-test → post-test → delayed post-test scheduling with per-participant unique links, automated reminders, and wave-based completion tracking dashboards for your PI team.
Physics Figures & Diagram Embedding
Embed free-body diagrams, circuit schematics, wave diagrams, and optics figures that display crisply on any device — with zoom capability and WCAG accessibility compliance.
Built for Physics Education Researchers & STEM Educators
We work with researchers and educators who need surveys that actually match the demands of physics and STEM education studies.
Why Physics Education Researchers Choose Ontoborn
Research Domain Experience
We've built platforms for physics professors at OSU, medical research tools, and academic assessment systems used across 40+ US universities. We understand research workflows, not just software.
Engineering Rigor
We treat your survey infrastructure like production software — version controlled, tested, documented, and maintainable.
IRB & Data Privacy Aware
We build with HIPAA, FERPA, and IRB compliance considerations from day one. Your participant data stays protected.
No Vendor Lock-In
All custom code, scripts, and integrations we build are yours. Full documentation, full handover.
Fast Turnaround
Most survey customizations and automations are delivered in 1–3 weeks, not months.
How We Work With Your Lab
Discovery Call
We understand your study design, participant flow, and data requirements.
Technical Scoping
We map out survey logic, integrations, and automation architecture.
Build & QA
We customize Qualtrics, test every branch and trigger, and validate data output.
Deployment & Training
We deploy, walk your team through the setup, and provide documentation.
Ongoing Support
Need to add a wave, modify logic, or connect a new system? We're on call.
STEM Fluency 3.0
See how Ontoborn built a scalable EdTech SaaS platform serving 30+ universities. We engineered a system capable of handling 16 million questions and complex real-time student analytics, demonstrating our capacity for rigorous scientific and educational software development.
- 30+ Universities Supported
- 16 Million+ Questions Managed
- Complex EdTech Infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you render LaTeX equations inside Qualtrics survey questions?
\vec{E} = \frac{q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 r^2} render correctly inside every question type, on every device.
Can you set up true randomization for FCI or CSEM instruments?
Can you integrate Qualtrics with SONA Systems for credit tracking?
Can you set up IRB-compliant consent forms and anonymous data routing?
Ready to Fix Your Qualtrics Setup for PER?
Whether you're launching your first pre/post study, battling broken LaTeX equations, or drowning in manual CSV exports — Ontoborn's PER team is ready to help. Book a free 30-minute call.
Book a Free PER Consultation →
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