Answer Grid Questions

SurveyWriter provides seven types of Answer Grid or matrix questions. Typical Answer Grid questions include the following:

• A series of rating scale questions that you want to appear on a single page
• A series of percentage questions that you want to appear on a single page
• Respondent contact information

Click each question type for the steps to use it.

When using the Answer Grid Questions, all questions must take the same form. For example, all questions must be check boxes or all questions must be numeric text boxes. You cannot vary the question type within the page. Also, you cannot use any of the advanced functions, including branching and filters, on questions that appear in the same Answer Grid question.

Numeric Text Boxes

Numeric Text  boxes are used to ask questions that require the respondent to enter numeric data. Use the following steps to create a Numeric Text Box question.

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Numeric Text Boxes from the Answer Grid drop-down list.
4. Complete the Option Screen for Numeric Text Boxes. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options. 

Note: The fields specific to Numeric Text boxes include the following:

• Width of Text Box
• Prefix Text
• Text to Append to Text Box
• Set a Minimum and Maximum Acceptable Numeric Answer

5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Page Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

Example: 

Please tell us the number of times you have purchased a soft drink in the past three weeks.

Alpha Text Boxes

Select this option to create a question that requires a text answer.  Use the following steps to create a Alpha Text Box question.

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Alpha Text Boxes from the Answer Grid drop-down list.
4. Complete the Option Screen for Alpha Text Boxes. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options.

Note: The fields specific to Alpha Text boxes include the following:

• Width of Test Box
• Text to Append to Text Box

5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Page Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

Example: 

Please enter your contact information.

Drop-down list

Use this option to create a drop-down list that appears in every cell. This option allows you to create a three dimensional grid (X by Y by Z). Use the following steps.

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Drop-down list from the Answer Grid menu. 
4. Complete the Option Screen for Drop-down lists. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options.
5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Page Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

Example:

Please rate the products below for the following attributes.

Row Question

Use this option to create a grid that allows for a series of rating scales. The questions, statements, or attributes make up the rows and the rating points make up the columns. Each row is treated as a separate question. 

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Row Question from the Answer Grid menu. 
4. Complete the Option Screen for Row Questions. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options.

Note: The fields specific to Row Questions include the following:

• Allow Multiple Answers
• Set Minimum and Maximum Number of Responses

5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Page Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

Example:

Please rate the following products.

Column Questions

Use this option create a grid that displays a series of  questions that allows for multiple responses. The options make up the rows, and the questions make up the columns. Each column is treated as a separate question.  

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Column Question from the Answer Grid menu. 
4. Complete the Option Screen for Column Questions. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options.

Note: The fields specific to Column Questions include the following:

• Allow Multiple Answers
• Set Minimum and Maximum Number of Responses

5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Page Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

Example:

Please indicate when you are using the following products.

Ranking Text Question

Use this option to create a series of text boxes used to rank a series of objects. In any individual column no number will be allowed to be repeated. Make sure to always set your Minimum Numeric Value to the lowest rank number (usually 1) and your Maximum Numeric Value to the highest rank number. Also make sure to check the required Questions Option box so that a respondent cannot leave an option empty. 

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Ranking Text Question from the Answer Grid menu. 
4. Complete the Option Screen for Ranking Text Questions. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options.

Note: The fields specific to Ranking Text Questions include the following:

• Set Minimum and Maximum Number of Responses
• Width of Text Box
• Text to Append to Text Box

5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Page Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

Example

The respondent is presented with a single column containing 5 text boxes. Instruct the respondent to rank the 3 items by entering the ranking number into the box next to that item.

Please rank your top 3 soft drinks.

Percentage Allocation Text Box

Select this option to create a question that requires respondents to have the items in the column total 100%. Use this option to ask a question that involves percentage expenditures or time. If you do not check the Required Question option in the Question Options window, the respondent can leave a field blank. That entry is considered the same as a 0% entry. The response field in the survey accepts answers with or without the percentage sign.

1. Enter a Question ID for this question.
2. Select a Question Type.
3. Click Percentage Allocation Text Box from the Answer Grid drop-down list. 
4. Complete the Option Screen for Percentage Allocation Text Box. See Question Options for a discussion of all available options.

Note: The fields specific to Percentage Allocation Text Boxes include the following:

• Width of Text Box
• Use Javascript Option
• Text to Append to Text Box
• Set a Minimum and Maximum Acceptable Column Sum

5. Click Set Question Page Text to enter the text of your question. See Set Question Text for more information.
6. Click Set Answer Options to insert the labels for your columns and rows.  See Set Answer Options for a discussion of how to use the Answer Option screen.

What percent of the time do you purchase your favorite soft drink at a...