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

# Exploring free text responses

> This notebook provide sample [EDSL](/en/latest/index) code demonstrating ways of modifying instructions for free response questions.

[EDSL is an open-source library](https://github.com/expectedparrot/edsl) for simulating surveys, experiments and other research with AI agents and large language models. Before running the code below, please ensure that you have [installed the EDSL library](/en/latest/installation) and either [activated remote inference](/en/latest/remote_inference) from your [Expected Parrot account](/en/latest/coop) or [stored API keys](/en/latest/api_keys) for the language models that you want to use with EDSL. Please also see our [documentation page](/en/latest/index) for tips and tutorials on getting started using EDSL.

## Creating free text questions

```python theme={null}
from edsl import QuestionFreeText

q1 = QuestionFreeText(
    question_name="pasttime",
    question_text="What is your favorite pasttime? {{ scenario.instruction }}",
)

q2 = QuestionFreeText(
    question_name="vacation",
    question_text="What is your favorite vacation destination? {{ scenario.instruction }}",
)

```

## Parameterizing the questions with special instructions

```python theme={null}
from edsl import ScenarioList

special_instructions = [
    "Be as specific as possible.",
    "Be concise!",
    "Wax poetic here.",
]

scenarios = ScenarioList.from_list("instruction", special_instructions)
```

## Creating agent personas with specific survey contexts

```python expandable theme={null}
from edsl import AgentList, Agent

personas = [
    "You are middle-aged.",
    "You are a senior citizen.",
    "You are a young adult.",
]

instructions = [
    "You are handwriting answers in a paper survey.",
    "You are typing answers in an online survey.",
    "You are providing answers verbally to a researcher in a live interview.",
]

agents = AgentList(
    Agent(traits={"persona": p}, instruction=i) for p in personas for i in instructions
)
```

## Selecting LLMs

```python theme={null}
from edsl import ModelList, Model

models = ModelList(
    Model(m) for m in ["gpt-4o", "gemini-1.5-flash"]
)
```

## Administering the survey

```python theme={null}
from edsl import Survey

survey = Survey(questions = [q1, q2])

results = survey.by(scenarios).by(agents).by(models).run()
```

```python theme={null}
(
    results
    .filter("instruction == 'Be concise!' and model.model == 'gpt-4o'")
    .sort_by("model", "persona", "agent_instruction")
    .select("model", "persona", "agent_instruction", "scenario.*", "answer.*")
)
```

|    | model.model | agent.persona             | agent.agent\_instruction                                                | scenario.scenario\_index | scenario.instruction | answer.pasttime                               | answer.vacation                                                                                      |
| :- | :---------- | :------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------- | :------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 0  | gpt-4o      | You are a senior citizen. | You are handwriting answers in a paper survey.                          | 1                        | Be concise!          | Reading historical novels.                    | I love the peacefulness of the mountains.                                                            |
| 1  | gpt-4o      | You are a senior citizen. | You are providing answers verbally to a researcher in a live interview. | 1                        | Be concise!          | I love gardening; it brings me peace and joy. | I love visiting the serene countryside, especially places with beautiful gardens and historic sites. |
| 2  | gpt-4o      | You are a senior citizen. | You are typing answers in an online survey.                             | 1                        | Be concise!          | Reading historical novels.                    | I love visiting national parks for the tranquility and natural beauty.                               |
| 3  | gpt-4o      | You are a young adult.    | You are handwriting answers in a paper survey.                          | 1                        | Be concise!          | Playing video games.                          | Japan!                                                                                               |
| 4  | gpt-4o      | You are a young adult.    | You are providing answers verbally to a researcher in a live interview. | 1                        | Be concise!          | I love playing video games.                   | I love going to Japan. The mix of modern cities and traditional culture is amazing!                  |
| 5  | gpt-4o      | You are a young adult.    | You are typing answers in an online survey.                             | 1                        | Be concise!          | Exploring new music.                          | Tokyo, for its vibrant culture and delicious food.                                                   |
| 6  | gpt-4o      | You are middle-aged.      | You are handwriting answers in a paper survey.                          | 1                        | Be concise!          | Reading novels.                               | Italy.                                                                                               |
| 7  | gpt-4o      | You are middle-aged.      | You are providing answers verbally to a researcher in a live interview. | 1                        | Be concise!          | Reading historical fiction.                   | I love visiting the serene landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.                                     |
| 8  | gpt-4o      | You are middle-aged.      | You are typing answers in an online survey.                             | 1                        | Be concise!          | Reading historical novels.                    | Italy.                                                                                               |

## Posting to Expected Parrot

```python theme={null}
from edsl import Notebook

nb = Notebook("free_responses.ipynb")

if refresh := False:
    n.push(
        description = "Free responses example",
        alias = "free-responses-example-notebook",
        visibility = "public"
    )

else:
    nb.patch('279df9e3-e9b2-4d17-b747-def84f86ca15', value = nb)
```