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Sources define how respondents reach your survey. Each survey can have multiple sources, and each source can have multiple streams with different targeting or supplier allocations.
This guide covers DIY sources — the self-serve workflows you configure directly in Research Desk. Contact your Rep Data representative for managed or custom sourcing arrangements.

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Source types

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Internal Source (“Buy Sample”)

In the UI, Internal sources are created with the Buy Sample button. This is the primary self-serve path for purchasing sample from Rep Data’s integrated supplier network. Before creating an Internal source, confirm your survey’s estimated IR and LOI are accurate. Incorrect specs affect CPI and may throttle or pause traffic. From Buy Sample you can:
  • Name sources descriptively (for example, US GenPop, Females 18–24, CA Residents)
  • Set respondent targets and qualifications via the targeting menu
  • Configure quotas by total N, percentage, or Remaining N
  • Save configurations as templates or load templates from prior sources
  • Duplicate sources within the same survey or across projects using a source ID
The Test Survey button uses the survey’s general stream. It does not apply all quota and qualification restrictions that live supplier streams use. Use it to validate redirects and survey flow, not final quota logic.

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Manual Source (“Add Supplier”)

Use Manual Source (Add Supplier) when you purchase sample directly from your own supplier relationships. Manual sources let you:
  • Centralize supplier links inside Research Desk
  • Apply Research Defender fraud checks consistently
  • Monitor and reconcile all manual traffic in one place
Configure redirect URLs for each disposition so suppliers can return respondents with the correct status.

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Automated Source

Use Automated Source when you want Research Desk to programmatically match respondents from Rep Data’s integrated supplier network without manual supplier setup. Automated sources identify eligible suppliers based on your survey criteria, allocate traffic across the marketplace, and apply Research Defender checks on every respondent.

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Qualifications, quotas, and templates

When configuring an Internal source:
  1. Add qualifications from the left panel (preview attributes via the information icon)
  2. Configure quotas from the right panel
  3. Set targets by total N, percentage, or Remaining N
Save As Template stores a configuration for recurring studies. Load Template imports a saved template or a source ID from another project.

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Duplicating sources

Common reasons to duplicate: IR/LOI specs no longer match field performance, high over-quotas or abandons after a programming error, or adding a targeted segment (for example, NBA fans alongside gen pop).

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Calculation types

Each source uses a Calculation Type that controls how quota progress is measured: Completes, Survey Starts, or Hybrid. See Source Quota Calculation Types for details.

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Streams

Within each source, streams carry the qualifications and quotas that determine which respondents can enter.

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Launching sources

Sources move through statuses similar to surveys. Confirm all links, pricing, and quotas before setting a source to Live. For scheduled launches, project managers receive notifications when a scheduled source goes live.

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Source blend and caps

When using multiple suppliers, set maximum caps per supplier to avoid over-reliance on any single source and maintain sample diversity.

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Next steps