What is the purpose of adding a default value to a survey variable?

The inclusion of a default value in a survey variable is essential for maintaining data integrity and ensuring meaningful responses, particularly when actual data may be absent. When the survey is sent out, if there is no actual data available for that specific variable, the system will utilize the default value as a placeholder. This ensures that the survey remains coherent and complete, even in scenarios where the expected data is missing.

In this context, the purpose of the default value is not to be overridden entirely when sending out the survey but to serve as a backup option that can be utilized instead of leaving a gap in the response. This mechanism helps in creating a standardized experience for survey respondents and provides useful insights for the data analysis process, as it enables the collection of complete datasets.