Research Methods Handbook · First Published July 2023 · Last Updated February 2026
A Step-by-Step Guide for Implementing the Multiple Generator Random Interpreter (MGRI) in Online Surveys
About This Handbook
This handbook will show you how to build a survey using the Multiple Generator Random Interpreter (MGRI) method in Qualtrics and how to clean the data collected from the survey. This handbook does not provide a conceptual introduction to MGRI. To learn what MGRI is and how it could benefit your study, please refer to Marin & Hampton (2007). Our research brief also provides information about using MGRI in online surveys.
Getting Started
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How to Use This Handbook
Requirements, download, tips, citation
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Sample Survey
Screenshot tour of the full MGRI survey
Implementing Survey in Qualtrics
1
Creating Survey Blocks
Set up the three main blocks
2
Creating Name Generators
Q1_NG_IM1 and Q2_NG_AC1
3
List Overlap Measure
Q3_IM_AC_select, piped text & display logic
4
Survey Proceeding Logic
Block branch logic for skipping
5
Random Subset / Sample List
Q6_Random — randomized name sampling
6
Name Interpreters
Q7_NI_relationship, Q8_NI_gender
7
Network Density Questions
Q9_Density_IM1 … Q27_Density_AC9
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Tip: Preventing Duplicate Names
Custom validation logic
Data Cleaning in R
1
Download & Prepare the Data
Export from Qualtrics, prepare CSV
2
Check & Run the Cleaning Script
Full R script walkthrough
Suggested Citation
Citation
Jang-Tucci, K. (2023). A Step-by-Step Guide for Implementing the Multiple Generator Random Interpreter (MGRI) in Online Surveys. Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions. University of Wisconsin–Madison. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/F49C3
Questions & Feedback
If you have questions or feedback about this handbook and toolkit (any suggestions to improve the toolkit are welcome!), please contact Kyoungjin Jang-Tucci at kjang26@wisc.edu.