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You can choose your questions from one of the nine different types available to you in Survey Swift. It might not sound a wide choice at first. However, in practice, that selection (with the numerous options) can give you all the question types you need.
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To create a new question click the <Question> button under the "Create" heading.
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The screen that opens allows you to choose and set up your question type.
The question types are:-
1. Check box - two or more responses from multiple choices
2. Options button - single response from multiple choices
3. Item Yes/No - Yes or No response only
4. Numeric field - Can be restricted.
5. Text field - Short text up to 255 characters
6. Text Area - Long text.
7. Drop down menu - select one item from a picklist.
8. Ranking (1,2,3...) - Rank preferences to a specified level (e.g. top 5 out of 10)
9. Cross-question - One or more responses required from multiple choices.
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Yes No Question type
First we'll look at the simplest question, the 'Yes/ No' question and take that as an example so you can see how to create your own questions.
First, as for every question, you need your question text. This is pasted (or typed) into the box labelled (1).
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Now click on the radio button next to the question type "Item Yes/No". The various options relevant for this question choice appear.
Item (4) contains the yes/ no response boxes. You can change these two response to suit your needs (Up/ Down - Heavier/ Lighter etc.).
Item (5) makes the question optional for the respondent if ticked. Before you tick it, remember that one of the benefits of an on line system is that respondents can only skip questions when you allow them to. This is a key strength over paper based surveys. Also, if you are going to attach a 'rule' to this question then it should not be optional or you can give yourself logic problems.
Item(6) will present the responses in different orders for different respondents. This is of great use in multiple answers and should be used unless you need to keep the responses in a logical order. It eliminates the bias of respondents marking the first or last item in your list.
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Save your question by clicking the <Enter> button at the foot of the page. You can see the question details in this expanded view of the main questionnaire editing screen.
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Single selection (radio button) question type
This type of question is very similar the the Yes/ No one that you just saw. It now allows you to add as many options as you need, but the respondent can only select one.
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Choose the second question type, "Options button".
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If you use this option then you must complete the two boxes.
The top one is the text that appears in the question.
The lower one is the text that appears alongside the input box if 'Other' is selected by the respondent.
Here is an example of a completed question:
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In addition to the "Non-mandatory" and "Random" options from before you now can add an "Other, please specify" to your list.
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Click <Enter> to save your question.
And Test it.
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Multiple selection (check box) question type
The next type of question is similar, but this one allows your respondent to select several responses rather than just one.
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Choose the first question type, "Check box".
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Firstly you can limit the number of options to be selected.
Secondly you can have an "other" response like you saw in the previous example.
And thirdly you can have a "Don't Know". This answer will clear any other responses.
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With this question type you have some additional options.
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Enter your values.
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Press <Enter> to save and test.
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Number field question type
You can collect numerical values in a dedicated field.
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Wherever you can put limits on the values that are acceptable so as to prevent rubbish answers. I'll not go into the various options but leave you to experiment with them.
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Tip: As you can see, to accommodate overseas student responses you have to set a wide range. It would be better to insert a question before this asking if they were from the British Isles, and if the response is 'No' then skipping this question.
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Text field and Text area question types
When collecting text inputs, that is answers to open questions, you can select the text field for responses up to 255 characters, or text area for unlimited.
Tip: Only use the Text Area when you really are expecting long responses.
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For the Text Field response you can identify it as e- mail and password. For e-mail the system checks that the '@' symbol is included in the entry, for password the echoed response is a string of *****.
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And this is how the text area input looks to the respondent.
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Drop Down Menu question types
When you have a long list for a single selection, you will find that this type of question is easier to use than the options button.
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So as to help the respondent find their answer you would normally not use "Random order" but build your list in alphabetic or numeric order.
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Rank order question types
"And now", as they say, "for something completely different". This question type asks the respondent to rank order the options presented.
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This type of question has some different options. Firstly you can insist on a value for each item on your list.
Or you can limit the number ranked to a fixed value or place a maximum on the number ranked.
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We are going to use this to show two other features. The first is to show how you can copy a question. Note that right at the top there is a box with the legend "Copy of : ". From the drop down list, select the check box question you used earlier and click the adjacent tick symbol.
Note the number of options inthe "Elements" box. Edit the question. Select the "Ranking" question type. Restore the original value to the "Elements" box. Select 'Allocate a value to each element'. Save your question and test it.
We will look at the other feature when looking at the logic controls later.
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Cross question types
Here is the last, most complicated and potentially the most valuable question type. It's best to look at the example and play with them. Just note the various options at the foot. You need to read these carefully so you can make best use of them.
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Tip: The most common option is "One answer per line".
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Here's what it looks like when you test it.
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Now you can write an on-line questionnaire where the respondent runs through each question in turn.
To see the questionnaire we have built click here. Remember that this is not necessarily an exapmle of a well structured survey, it has been put together to show each type of question.
(link to ###)
Now lets get on to learn about how you control the route through a questionnaire using filters .
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