> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/set-up-a-diary-study.md). # Set up a diary study First, be sure that you've [created your project](/getting-started/workspaces-and-projects/create-a-project-mission-or-screener.md) and added your teammates as [collaborators](/getting-started/collaborate-in-dscout/manage-project-collaborators.md). ## 1. Create your mission {% stepper %} {% step %} Click **Create mission** in the top-right corner of your project. ![](/files/d4a7568707fd54e43310f1cfe4a193e63521e970) {% endstep %} {% step %} Select **Diary study**. ![](/files/9de22e1ec34549ac79be372342342ae7063aee69) {% endstep %} {% step %} Choose from: * **Create Your Own**: a blank mission. * **Copy From Previous**: copy a previous mission you have access to * Or, use a template to help you get started. ![](/files/d939de3764b19b2864ffb7da4c1e8d56ad3d651b) {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ## 2. Define Mission Specs and Details You'll define your mission specs on the Details tab of the Setup page. * Select one of our Hero Images to show off the topic of your research. * **Scout profile:** Choose whether or not Scouts will be required to fill out their profile (age, gender, home city/country, pronouns, and profile picture) prior to participating in your mission. * **Days per Scout:** Estimate how many days your mission will take Scouts to complete. Base this on your mission design! * **Internal Name:** If it's helpful for your business purposes, give this mission an internal name. This field is hidden from Scouts. * **Language:** This is where you can specify the language the mission will be in for Scouts. [Read more about international missions](/getting-started/research-basics/can-i-do-international-research-with-dscout.md). * **Company branding:** If you want to brand your mission, toggle this on! Otherwise, your research will be blinded to Scouts. * Don't forget to fill out the incentive field, as well! #### **Overview** Write an overview of your mission that explains what Scouts should expect from your mission. Be sure to include: * A brief overview of the overall topic of the mission * The number of activities in the mission * The deadline for each activity, if running a manual mission (see below for more on this!) * The overall mission deadline * Any other information Scouts will need to complete the mission #### **Activity Availability** Decide if you will release your mission activities **automatically** or **manual**. If you choose **automatic**, subsequent activities are opened for the Scout as soon as they submit the required number of entries for the previous activity. If you choose **manual**, you control when activities are published and opened to Scouts via the Manage page. Either way, Activity 1 will always be ready for Scouts to begin when you launch and Scouts accept your mission invitation. ![](/files/c9cb907ab73fe565a2750ce7ef61f14b588b31f4) ## 3. Write your question script Here's where you'll write the questions Scouts will answer. Here are a few key things to remember: * A mission can have up to 10 activities. Most activities have 5-20 questions. * In each entry, Scouts can submit up to 5 photos and 3 videos. * Review the [kinds of questions](/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/question-types-in-diary-studies.md) you can ask Scouts. * Use skip logic to jump Scouts to different questions within that particular activity based on their answers to a specific closed ended question. * You can assign one question in each activity to serve as the entry headline. Scouts responses to your headline question will be surfaced in the entry preview alongside a media thumbnail. * Having trouble? Read about best practices for mission design, and see an example mission [here](/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/example-of-an-effective-diary-mission.md). #### **Write each activity's specs** For each activity, you'll need to write **instructions** and specify a few parameters. * **Number of entries:** how many entries are Scouts *required* to submit to this activity? * **Number of days:** how many days do you expect (or are you requiring) Scouts to spend working on this activity? * **Set a** [**Due Date**](/diary-studies/manage-a-diary-study/activity-due-dates-and-reminders.md)**:** When does this activity need to be completed by? * **Number of questions** will be filled automatically. ## 4. Test your Diary mission Once you've finished building your mission, take it for a test drive. {% stepper %} {% step %} Click "Test Mission" in the bottom right corner of the Setup page {% endstep %} {% step %} Add yourself and up to 4 other testers' names and email addresses. You each will receive a system email inviting you to test the mission {% endstep %} {% step %} Follow the email's instructions to download the Dscout app and log in {% endstep %} {% step %} Test your mission! {% endstep %} {% step %} Once you have tested your mission, click "End Test" in the bottom right corner to end the test. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} * [Read more about Test mode here](/diary-studies/what-are-diary-studies-in-dscout/test-mode-in-diary-missions.md). Next, it's time to invite your Scouts and launch! * If you need to import Scouts from a screener, [click here](/diary-studies/manage-a-diary-study/add-participants-to-your-diary-study.md). * If you are bringing your own participants, [click here](/diary-studies/manage-a-diary-study/inviting-first-time-participants-to-a-diary-mission.md). --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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