> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.repdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Best Practices

> Fieldwork best practices for soft launch, CPI, quota balancing, and performance troubleshooting.

This guide consolidates workflow steps and fieldwork best practices to help you collect high-quality data efficiently on Research Desk.

## Key terminology

| Term        | Meaning                                      |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **CPI**     | Cost per interview                           |
| **IR**      | Incidence rate — expected qualification rate |
| **LOI**     | Length of interview                          |
| **RDUD**    | Research Desk respondent identifier          |
| **OQ / SQ** | Over-quota, in-survey quality screenout      |

## Workflow summary

1. Create project
2. Create survey with correct URL, `[%RDUD%]`, and redirects
3. Set up Internal sources (**Buy Sample**) with accurate IR, LOI, and targeting
4. Conduct soft launch (\~10% of target)
5. Review quality, quotas, and metrics
6. Fix issues before full launch
7. Add cloned or duplicated sources as needed
8. Monitor performance daily
9. Adjust CPI, quotas, and targeting as required
10. Export data, reconcile, and request [data cleaning](/research-desk/support/data-cleaning) if needed
11. Mark project as Complete

## Internal source setup

* Ensure estimated IR and LOI are accurate before creating a source — incorrect specs throttle traffic
* Name sources recognizably (Gen Pop, Females 18–24, CA Residents)
* Add qualifications from the left panel; configure quotas on the right
* Save recurring configurations as templates or load from the template library

## Soft launch

* Launch at **10%** of total sample target
* For high-IR studies, use **Survey Starts** as the calculation type to avoid overshooting
* Fielding pauses when the soft-launch cap is reached until targets increase
* Review quota balance, data quality, and unexpected OQs, SQs, or abandons
* Use complimentary [data cleaning](/research-desk/support/data-cleaning) before full launch if needed

## Balancing quotas

* Monitor quotas daily
* If a segment is slow, create **strategic cloned sources** with CPI **50–100% higher** than gen pop
* Prioritize difficult targets early — leaving niche quotas for the end often stalls fieldwork

## Performance indicators

| Metric                | What it signals                               | Action                                                           |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Defender terms**    | Pre-survey quality check failures             | Review [Research Defender](/research-defender/index) thresholds  |
| **Over-quotas (OQs)** | Full quotas still receiving entrants          | Adjust or close quotas; update targeting                         |
| **Screenouts (SQs)**  | In-survey quality terms                       | Tighten Defender thresholds or review screening logic            |
| **Low IR**            | Few entrants qualify                          | Increase CPI or broaden targeting                                |
| **High abandons**     | Dropouts from length, UX, or broken redirects | Fix redirects first; suppliers throttle above \~30% abandon rate |

### Project health colors

* **Green** — Within expected specs
* **Yellow** — Early signs of misaligned specs; monitor closely
* **Red** — CPI, IR, or LOI likely misaligned; CPI adjustment probably needed

Use the **red alert icon** to view recommended CPI and save adjusted pricing in real time.

## CPI adjustments

* Research Desk sets a **floor price** from IR, LOI, and country entered at setup
* Niche targeting typically needs CPI **50–100% above** the floor price
* As quotas become more restrictive, raising CPI attracts additional supplier traffic
* Pricing can be adjusted at any point during fieldwork and applies immediately to live sources

## Testing redirects

Before launching, test complete and terminate paths in an **incognito window**. A successful redirect lands on the Research Desk end-page confirmation.

## Related guides

* [Managing Fieldwork](/research-desk/guides/05-managing-fieldwork)
* [Entry Links and Redirects](/research-desk/guides/04-entry-links-and-redirects)
* [Source Quota Calculation Types](/research-desk/guides/10-source-quota-calculation-types)