User guide

This is a categorical question type where respondents select 1 possible answer from pre-defined categories.

If we are unlikely to have anticipated all the possible answers from respondents, we can add the category 'Other' (and follow the methodological recommendation Unsuitable use of open-ended questions). This results in a semi-open-ended question type, which allows respondents to enter any answer they wish if they do not identify with any of the predefined categories. In this case, the analysis can be a bit more complex as the descriptive answers have to be recoded (e.g. 'apple', 'apple' and 'apples' recoded to the same value).

Similarly, 'missing values' such as 'Don't know', 'Rejected, 'Not applicable' and 'Other' can be added. Caution is advised when using these responses, as also described in the methodological recommendation Incomplete response options.

Below we describe some additional question functionality and settings:

Basic settings:

Layout:

The 'Categories - Single Answer' question type offers a number of different layouts, such as:

• Vertical (default setting), where categories are listed vertically beneath the question
  
• Horizontal beside the question
  
• Horizontal below the question
  
• Dropdown, which is particularly useful when there is a large number of categories (e.g. more than 10 or even more than 100). When the dropdown is closed, only one category is displayed, but when the respondent clicks to open it, all categories are displayed. A possible limitation of the dropdown is that respondents do not have the possibility to enter their own answer if they do not select any of the predefined answers.
  

Advanced settings:

There are several options in the advanced settings, such as:

• Hide the question for respondents;
• Time limit for answering;
• Show results;
• Locked question for editing;
• Hide radio buttons;
• Fast edit in data with dropdown

Validation:

For the 'Constant Sum' question type, respondents enter a number for each answer, which is then added to the total at the bottom.

The functionality is available for users of the 2KA and 3KA packages for individuals, and for users of the business packages for groups.

This question type allows respondents to rate categories according to different criteria. For example, in one question, respondents can rate the quality, price, appearance, etc. of a product on a scale of e.g. 1 to 5.

The 'Table -  Multiple answers' question type allows respondents to select one or more possible answers, which are located in the header of the table. These answers are the same for several different sub-questions or categories, which are located in the rows on the left-hand side of the table.

This type of question is best suited for displaying multiple 'Categories - Multiple answers' (checkbox) questions that have the same possible answers.

With this question type, respondents enter numbers according to one or more of the criteria located in the header of the table and according to the sub-questions or categories located in the rows on the left-hand side of the table. This question type is, for example, a good choice for entering the number of visits to different countries in different years.

This question type allows the respondents to choose one criteria in the head of the column, on the basis of which they then evaluate the items or topics that are located in rows on the left side of the table. This question type is the most convenient way to display questions where different topics have the same possible answers.

An example of such a question could be satisfaction with a website. For example, the developers of a website can use a single question to gain insight into user satisfaction with the design, usability, speed, etc. To achieve the same effect without this question type, three individual questions of the 'Categories - Single Answer' type would be needed instead, which would complicate the creation of the questionnaire and the subsequent analysis of the data.

The 'Dropdown table' question type is the same as 'Classic table', with the exception of radio buttons being replaced by a drop-down menu.