Statistical Survey - FAQ

FAQ

If you don't find the answer you need here or need extra help please do not hesitate to contact Alison and she will assist you!

Q: Can I download a copy of my institution's answers from a previous year’s survey?

A: Yes! If your institution completed the Statistical Survey in 2024 (or a prior year), you can download a copy either in a PDF or in Excel (a CSV file).

  • PDF: you can access your answers in a PDF on the main survey page. (Surveys > Statistical Survey 2024> View Submission).
  • CSV/Excel: use the Benchmarking Tool:
  • Go to the Surveys page and click "View Benchmarking Tool"
  • Click "Search" in the menu on the left and type in your institution's name. When it appears, click the check box.
  • Click "Export" (to the left of where it says "Statistical Survey 2024 Benchmarking Tool")
  • Click "Select All Questions" next to each section you would like your answers for.
  • Click "Export" and this will generate a file of all your answers from the previous year.


Q: Can I generate a blank version of the survey in PDF, Word, or Excel?

A: Yes! We have survey question guides in multiple formats.

 

Q: Can I use the pre-populate feature to insert my answers from the 2024 Statistical Survey?

A: Yes, this feature is back! If your institution completed the 2024 Statistical Survey, you can use this tool to enter your data from the previous survey. In a given section you would like to pre-populate, click "Pre-populate answers from  Statistical Survey 2024"; then make any changes needed for that section.

Q: The pre-populate function overwrote some of my answers! How can I fix this?

A: To use the pre-populate function you must click pre-populate first, then enter any new or updated data. If you do this the other way around you will lose any data you entered before clicking pre-populate.

Q: Are there any new questions in the 2025 Statistical Survey?

A: There are no new questions in the survey this year, however two questions have been tweaked slightly:

  • In Section A-1, the questions about governance model and parent organization have been collapsed into question 2.
  • In Section D-1, question 32 about collections ownership has been altered from yes/no to "check all that apply."

Q: I completed the 2024 survey in Canadian Dollars or Mexican Pesos. Why don't some of my answers match what I entered last year?

A: Your answers have been re-entered into the system in US Dollars so that all survey responses are in US Dollars. Alison sent you a copy of your original answers at that time (email her if you need a copy). We apologize for the inconvenience but it is the simplest workaround we have found to make sure we are comparing apples to apples across institutions with different currencies.

Q: I don't see a checkmark next to section F-5/one of the CU sections, even though I completed it!
A: No checkmark will appear next to sections like these, as there are no mandatory questions, so you are in the clear.

Q: I have completed the survey. Why can't I see the Submit button?

A: You are likely missing one pesky question somewhere along the line! The counts on the right of the survey section headers show which mandatory questions you have answered and where questions are missing ( like the 0/14 next to section F-7, Earned Revenue, in the screengrab below. (Sections with no number at the end, like F-5, College or University support, have no mandatory questions.)


Q: I've provided answers for all the mandatory questions in the survey. Do I really need to click "Submit" for my response to be counted?

A: If you don't click "Submit" on your survey the results will not be published in the Benchmarking Tool. This helps ensure that draft responses do not get included in the final published results of the survey.

Q: What is the CU section? Do I have to complete it?

A: This section is only for College and University museums. If you are not a museum nested in a College or University please skip this section.