What is the primary purpose of an authenticator in a survey?

The primary purpose of an authenticator in a survey is to verify participant identity. This is essential in ensuring that the responses collected are from the individuals intended to participate, which helps maintain the integrity of the data. Authenticators can prevent issues such as duplicate responses, unauthorized access, and ensure that the survey results are meaningful and valid.

By confirming the identity of the participants, researchers can also build trust, inviting honest feedback and ensuring that only eligible participants contribute to the study outcomes. This practice is particularly important in sensitive studies or those requiring specific qualifications for respondents. Without proper identity verification, the reliability of the survey data may be compromised, affecting the overall conclusions drawn from the research.