Once you've added a device and chosen your data source, the next step is to create the tasks your participants will complete throughout the study. These tasks typically map directly to your research protocol.
In this article:
- Types of tasks you can choose from
- How to set up tasks in the app builder
- How to arrange tasks in the app builder
- Task FAQs
Types of Tasks
When creating a task, you’ll first choose between:
Event Tracking Tasks
- Designed for participants to log event-based occurrences as they happen.
- Persist and remain visible throughout the study period.
Scheduled Tasks
- Appear only at scheduled times and remain hidden until available.
- Can have expiration windows.
- Perfect for EMAs and structured daily/weekly protocols.
Task formats
Within either task type, you can create the following:
- Questionnaire tasks
- To-Do tasks
- Timer tasks
- Movesense tasks (if a Movesense device is included)
- Garmin streaming tasks (ACC)
All tasks are time-stamped and automatically linked with sensor data collected through Labfront.
Note
The option to create a Movesense Task only appears if your project includes a Movesense device.
Task Type Details
To-Do Tasks
Simple activity-based tasks displayed in the Labfront Companion app.
Use these when you want participants to complete an action but do not need a questionnaire or a timer.
Use these when you want participants to complete an action but do not need a questionnaire or a timer.
Examples:
- "Complete an exercise activity today.”
- “Do a meditation session once a week.”
Questionnaires
Use these to collect survey responses throughout the project (e.g., baseline questionnaires, daily mood check-ins, sleep diaries).
Benefits of using Labfront questionnaires:
- Track completion in real time via the Adherence Dashboard
- Export questionnaire responses alongside physiological data for easier analysis
Timer Tasks
Timer-based tasks track the duration of an activity. Participants use the built-in app timer to complete them.
Examples:
- “Go for a 15-minute run.”
- “Do a 5-minute deep breathing exercise.”
Movesense Tasks
If your study uses a Movesense device, you’ll need a Movesense Task to collect ECG/IMU data.
Garmin Streaming Tasks
Most Garmin devices collect data passively, but raw accelerometer data requires manual start/stop via a Garmin streaming task.
Setting Up Tasks
Reminders
- Labfront has an Autosave feature, so your work is saved automatically.
- As you create tasks, you'll see a live preview of how they will appear in the participant app.
Creating a Task
For every task, complete the following fields:
-
Task Name - Choose a clear, participant-friendly name
-
Task Description - Briefly explain what participants should do
-
Color - Assign a color to visually differentiate the task card
-
Schedule (For Scheduled Tasks Only) - Set when the task will appear and, if applicable, when it expires
Learn more about scheduling tasks for EMA→
Once everything is filled out, click Save.
Important
A study must contain at least one task before it can be published.
If your protocol has no required tasks, you can add a simple To-Do Task such as “Wear your Garmin.”
Update or arrange tasks
- To move a task, click Drag
. - To duplicate a task, click More
Duplicate.
- To delete a task, click More
Tip 💡
To learn more about monitoring your participants' task completion, we recommend checking out our article on how to track adherence on the Labfront dashboard.
Absolutely! You can view task adherence on the Adherence tab of your dashboard.
Can I add or change a task after my study is published?
Yes, you can edit your project and add a task. We recommend sending a notification to participants to make them aware of the change.
Can I add a link to a task for participants to click on, such as a YouTube video?
Yes, links can be added to a task. You will need to enter the full URL.
Can I delete a task after my study is published?
It's not currently possible to delete a task after a project has been published, but you can archive a task, which serves a similar function. When you archive a task, it will no longer appear in the participant app. Data already collected will not be affected.
Can I edit a questionnaire in a live study?
Questionnaires cannot currently be edited because doing so would make your data really difficult to keep track of (imagine multiple versions of the same questionnaire with only small changes). If you made a mistake on your questionnaire or want to add or remove a question, we suggest archiving the questionnaire task and adding a new task with the updated questionnaire.
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