Quotas ensure you collect responses from specific demographic segments in the right proportions. Instead of whoever responds first, quotas let you control exactly how many participants you need from each group.
What Are Quotas?
Quotas define how many respondents you need from each segment of your target population. For example:
Total: 500 respondents ├── Age 18-24: 100 respondents ├── Age 25-34: 150 respondents ├── Age 35-50: 150 respondents └── Age 51+: 100 respondents
When a quota is filled, no more participants from that segment can complete the survey.
When to Use Quotas
Demographically representative samples - Match population demographics
Balanced comparisons - Equal groups for statistical comparison
Segment-specific research - Target specific audiences precisely
Preventing over-sampling - Stop when you have enough from each group
Setting Up Quotas
Prerequisites
Quotas are based on your screening questions. Before setting up quotas:
Create your survey with screening questions
Ensure screening questions use multiple choice format
Navigate to the Recruit tab
Creating a Quota
In the Recruit tab, find the Quotas section
Click Add Quota
Select a screening question to use as the quota basis
Set target counts for each option
Save your quota configuration
Quota Structure
Quotas follow a hierarchical structure:
Simple Quota (One Level):
Gender ├── Male: 250 └── Female: 250
Nested Quota (Multiple Levels):
Age
├── 18-34: 250
│ └── Gender
│ ├── Male: 125
│ └── Female: 125
└── 35-54: 250
└── Gender
├── Male: 125
└── Female: 125
Configuring Quota Targets
Setting Target Counts
For each option in your quota question:
Enter the number of respondents needed
Ensure totals add up to your total sample size
The system validates your configuration
Nested Quotas
To add a sub-quota under an option:
Click the expand/add icon next to an option
Select another screening question
Set targets for the nested options
Nested totals should equal the parent option's target
Example Configuration
Goal: 400 total respondents, balanced by age and gender
Age
├── 18-34: 200 respondents
│ └── Gender
│ ├── Male: 100
│ └── Female: 100
└── 35-54: 200 respondents
└── Gender
├── Male: 100
└── Female: 100
Quota Validation
Automatic Checks
The system validates your quotas against:
Total mismatch - Options don't sum to expected total
Impossible segments - Segment screened out but has quota target
Missing questions - Referenced question no longer exists
Warning Indicators
Issue | Severity | Action Needed |
Total exceeds expected | Error | Reduce option targets |
Segment screened out | Warning | Remove target or fix screening |
Question deleted | Error | Reconfigure quota |
Impossible Segments
If a screening rule terminates participants who select a certain option, but that option has a quota target, you'll see a warning. For example:
Screening rule: Screen out if "Age" = "Under 18"
Quota target: Age "Under 18" = 50 respondents
This quota can never be filled because all under-18 respondents are screened out.
Quota Synchronization
When Questions Change
If you modify screening questions after setting quotas:
Deleted questions remove associated quotas
Deleted options remove those quota targets
Added options start with target = 0
You'll be notified of sync changes
Maintaining Consistency
After editing screening questions:
Review your quota configuration
Update targets for any new options
Verify totals still match your sample size
Monitoring Quota Progress
During Recruitment
Track quota completion in the Recruit tab:
See current fills vs. targets
Identify segments that are filling slowly
Spot segments that are complete
Quota Status
Status | Meaning |
Open | Still accepting respondents |
Nearly Full | Approaching target (>80%) |
Full | Target reached, segment closed |
What Happens When Full
When a quota segment fills:
New respondents matching that segment see a message
They cannot complete the survey
Panel providers are notified (if configured)
The segment is marked closed
Advanced Configurations
Multiple Root Quotas
You can have multiple independent quota structures:
Quota 1: Age ├── 18-34: 250 └── 35+: 250Quota 2: Region (Independent) ├── North: 100 ├── South: 150 ├── East: 100 └── West: 150
Respondents must fit available slots in ALL applicable quotas.
Interlocked Quotas
For complex requirements, use nested quotas instead of multiple independent quotas:
Age × Gender (Interlocked) ├── 18-34 Male: 100 ├── 18-34 Female: 100 ├── 35+ Male: 100 └── 35+ Female: 100
This ensures exact control over each cell combination.
Best Practices
Quota Design
Keep it simple - Fewer quota dimensions are easier to fill
Allow flexibility - Slight over-targets help handle dropouts
Consider feasibility - Narrow quotas are harder to fill
Match your goals - Only quota on dimensions that matter for analysis
Sample Size Planning
Segment Count | Minimum per Segment | Recommended |
2 | 50 | 100+ |
4 | 30 | 50+ |
8+ | 25 | 40+ |
Smaller segments have higher margin of error.
Recruitment Timing
Monitor quota fills early in fieldwork
Adjust if segments fill unevenly
Allow buffer time for hard-to-fill segments
Consider incentive boosts for slow segments
Troubleshooting
Quota Not Filling
If a segment fills slowly:
Check if screening rules conflict with quota
Verify the population size is realistic
Consider broadening criteria
Adjust incentives for that segment
Over-Quota Responses
Occasionally, responses may exceed quota due to:
Simultaneous submissions
Processing delays
System timing issues
Minor over-quota (1-2 responses) is normal and typically acceptable.
Quota Validation Errors
If you see validation errors:
Check that all option targets are numeric
Ensure totals match expected values
Verify no impossible segments exist
Review any recently changed questions