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Creating new Questions
Via the list view, you can create the questions that are to appear on the new questionnaire page.
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Please proceed as follows:
Click the split button + New question directly or select “New question”.
Alternatively, use “Import questions” to copy a specific question from an existing questionnaire.
If you want to re-use questions based on classic EFS question types, you may select the options “Paste from Word” or “Question library”.
Enter the question title. It is used for orientation when working in EFS, the survey participants cannot see it.
Select a fitting category first, then select the appropriate question type.
The preview displays screenshots of the selected question types.
Only in “Responsive layout” surveys: If you activate Dynamic, the question type will be displayed realistically. Click into it and you’ll see e.g. how the form elements behave.
Only in “Responsive layout” surveys: You may try what the selected question type will look like on mobile devices, tablet or desktop. Simply resize the width of your browser window: the dynamic question preview will adapt automatically.
Select the appropriate saving process:
Save will route you back to the list view and you can create the next question.
Save and edit will bring you to the detail view, where you can configure the new question.
Changing Question Properties
You can change the title and type of a question retrospectively:
Changing the question title: Switch to the detail view. In the head section, you can change the title.
Only suitable for classic question types: Changing question type:
Switch to the detail view and click on the Change question type icon.
Switch to the detail view and click on the Change question type tab.
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Please note:
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Copying or Moving Questions
Questions can be moved to other pages. To do so, in the questionnaire view or list view, click on the Copy icon of the desired question, select the target page and specify the desired action, i.e. “Copy” or “Move”.
Deleting Questions
Questions already created can be removed by clicking on the Delete icon in the list view.
Editing Questions
If you wish to edit an existing question, simply click on its title in the list view. In the detail view, which can contain different input fields and functions depending on the question type, you can enter your question text and answer options and configure all question-specific settings.
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You can use HTML to layout the question text, fill-in instruction, help text and answer options or to insert images. You should use the option to manually format individual questions with care. Whereever possible, use the layout features of standard and pro editor instead: it increases uniform appearance and reduces the maintenance effort in case of changes. |
Overview of the navigation and submenus
The tables list all features of list and detail view with references to detailed explanations.
Navigation
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Feature
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Description
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List view: Split button: + Question → New question
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Click on this button to create new questions on the current page.
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List view: Split button:
+ Question → Paste from Word
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This feature allows to paste several questions at once from a draft into the questionnaire editor.
Previously, this feature was labelled “Import questions”.
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List view: Split button: + Question → Import questions
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This feature allows to import questions from another project.
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List view: Split button:
+ Question → Question library
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Only for classic EFS question types. This option allows to
access the content of the question library.
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List view / Detail view
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Via these icons, you can switch from the list view to the detail view of the first question, or back again from a question’s detail view to the list of questions.
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Survey language
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The default language which is currently displayed in the questionnaire editor.
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Detail view: Pipe survey data
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This feature allows to easily pick and insert wildcards for dynamic content into question texts.
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Page info
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The icons symbolize the routing elements and other questionnaire features used on the current page.
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Page selection
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Via the drop-down list, you can navigate to all standard pages, final pages and mixed-external pages.
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Navigation arrows
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The Arrow icons allow to skip to the previous and next questionnaire page or question, respectively.
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Preview
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List view: Page preview
Detail view: Question or page preview
Submenus
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Feature
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Description
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Properties
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Access to the properties of the current page.
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Triggers
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Access to the Triggers menu of the current page.
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Plausibility checks
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Access to the Plausibility checks menu of the current page.
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Text elements
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Access to the Text elements menu of the current page.
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Codebook
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Shortcut to the Codebook.
Overview of the dedicated list view functions
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Feature
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Description
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Drag&Drop
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Use Drag&Drop to change the position of a question on the current page.
To move a question to another page, please switch to the questionnaire view, display all questions and drag the question to the appropriate position.
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Type
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The icon symbolizes the parent category (e.g. matrix), the number the specific question type (e.g. 311).
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Title
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Internally used question title.
Click on the title to access the detail view.
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Question text
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Question text
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Question ID
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Unique identifier of the question (q_xxxx). It is used e.g.:
In the EFS Survey reporting: it allows to define the questions that should be in an evaluation.
In the pro editor: you can create a specific design for each question using CSS.
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Info
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The icons symbolize the routing elements and other questionnaire features used in the question.
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Randomization on / off
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The position of all or selected questions on the current page
can be randomly switched. To do so, simply click on the icons for the desired questions.
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Actions icons
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Preview: Page preview.
Copy: In the copy dialog, you can optionally change the question title and select another page as target. Use Save to remain in the current page view. If you use Save and edit, you’ll be routed into the copied question.
Delete
Overview of the dedicated detail view features
Depending on the question type, the detail view contains different functions. The following tables give you an overview of which feature you will normally find and can use with common question types such as single or multiple response lists.
Question
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Feature
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Description
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Question type /
Change question type
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The icon symbolizes the parent category (e.g. matrix), the number the specific question type (e.g. 311).
By clicking on the icon, you can invoke the dialog for changing
the question type.
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Question title
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This field contains the title of the question.
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Question text
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In this field, you can enter the question text as it will appear on the website.
You can use the TinyMCE editor to layout question text, fill-in instruction and help text.
If you do not want to use the TinyMCE editor, you can easily deactivate the feature in the menu Options → Personal preferences on the tab Behavior of questionnaire editor.
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Fill-in instruction
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Here you can insert explanatory notes on answering the question, e.g. “Multiple answers possible”. If you do not need a fill-in instruction, please delete the standard text (“Here you explain...”) from the corresponding input field.
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Help text
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Individual questions give respondents the option of invoking a help pop-up window. Here, you can enter the help text that is to appear in the pop-up window later.
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Mark question as “protected”
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You can protect respondents’ answers to the current question against unauthorized viewing.
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Hiding condition for this question
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Depending on the answers the respondent has previously given, you can hide the question. To define the conditions, click on the Edit hiding condition link.
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Activate horizontal / vertical flipping of answers
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This function offers an alternative to randomization: The question’s items will be mirrored on the horizontal (vertical flipping) or the vertical (horizontal flipping) centerline
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Mandatory (DAC)
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If you tick the “Mandatory” checkbox, EFS will automatically check to see whether the respondent has answered this question. If this is not the case, an appropriate message will be displayed.
Please note: In the case of matrix questions, selecting this function will only ensure that at least any one item will be answered. You can force respondents to answer several items or all items by ticking the checkboxes in the “dac” column in the “Answer options” section of the entry form.
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Alternate colors
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If this function is activated, answer options and inside titles will have alternating background colors (white and grey) to improve readability.
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Dynamic column text wrap after x answers
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After the selected number of answer options has been reached
the list wraps and a new column begins. This function is particularly well suited for use in combination with hiding conditions on item level or randomization, i.e. for situations in which “New column” is too static.
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Number of items visible
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This field allows you to specify how many of the existing items are to be displayed:
With the default setting, “0”, all items will be displayed.
If you enter a number that is less than the actual number of existing items, the selection will be made by counting off the existing items from the top.
Using this function is particularly recommended when combined
with item randomization because the randomization produces varying item combinations.
If the function is used in combination with hiding conditions for answer options, the output of the questionnaire page will be done by first considering the hiding conditions. Only after that will the number be limited.
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Wrap item text
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If this option has been enabled, long answer texts will be wrapped automatically.
This feature can be used with the question types 111, 112, 113, 121, 122 and 144.
Detail Configuration
This section contains question type-specific features of Responsive Layout question types.
Dynamic answers
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Feature
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Description
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Dynamic answers
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If the answers are to be dynamically read from a list, you can make the corresponding settings in this area.
Answers
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Feature
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Description
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Variable name
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Detail view
If you wish to edit an existing question, simply click on its title in the list view. In the detail view, which can contain different input fields and functions depending on the question type, you can enter your question text and answer options and configure all question-specific settings.
Overview of the navigation and submenus
The tables list all features of list and detail view with references to detailed explanations.
Navigation
Feature | Description |
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List view: Split button: + Question → New question | Click on this button to create new questions on the current page. |
List view: Split button: | This feature allows to paste several questions at once from a draft into the questionnaire editor. Previously, this feature was labelled “Import questions”. |
List view: Split button: + Question → Import questions | This feature allows to import questions from another project. |
List view: Split button: | Only for classic EFS question types. This option allows to |
List view / Detail view | Via these icons, you can switch from the list view to the detail view of the first question, or back again from a question’s detail view to the list of questions. |
Survey language | The default language which is currently displayed in the questionnaire editor. |
Detail view: Pipe survey data | This feature allows to easily pick and insert wildcards for dynamic content into question texts. |
Page info | The icons symbolize the routing elements and other questionnaire features used on the current page. |
Page selection | Via the drop-down list, you can navigate to all standard pages, final pages and mixed-external pages. |
Navigation arrows | The Arrow icons allow to skip to the previous and next questionnaire page or question, respectively. |
Preview | List view: Page preview |
Submenus
Feature | Description |
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Properties | Access to the properties of the current page. |
Triggers | Access to the Triggers menu of the current page. |
Plausibility checks | Access to the Plausibility checks menu of the current page. |
Text elements | Access to the Text elements menu of the current page. |
Codebook | Shortcut to the Codebook. |
Overview of the dedicated list view functions
Feature | Description |
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Drag&Drop | Use Drag&Drop to change the position of a question on the current page. To move a question to another page, please switch to the questionnaire view, display all questions and drag the question to the appropriate position. |
Type | The icon symbolizes the parent category (e.g. matrix), the number the specific question type (e.g. 311). |
Title | Internally used question title. Click on the title to access the detail view. |
Question text | Question text |
Question ID | Unique identifier of the question (q_xxxx). It is used e.g.:
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Info | The icons symbolize the routing elements and other questionnaire features used in the question. |
Randomization on / off | The position of all or selected questions on the current page Please note: The order of randomized questions on a page cannot be saved, so cannot be the subject of an evaluation. |
Actions icons |
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Overview of the dedicated detail view features
Depending on the question type, the detail view contains different functions. The following tables give you an overview of which feature you will normally find and can use with common question types such as single or multiple response lists.
Question
Feature | Description |
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Question type / Change question type | The icon symbolizes the parent category (e.g. matrix), the number the specific question type (e.g. 311). By clicking on the icon, you can invoke the dialog for changing the question type. |
Question Title | This field contains the title of the question. |
Question Text | In this field, you can enter the question text as it will appear on the website.
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Fill-in instruction | Here you can insert explanatory notes on answering the ques- tion, e.g. “Multiple answers possible”. If you do not need a fill-in instruction, please delete the standard text (“Here you exp- lain...”) from the corresponding input field. |
Help text | Individual questions give respondents the option of invoking a help pop-up window. Here, you can enter the help text that is to appear in the pop-up window later. |
Mark question as “protected” | You can protect respondents’ answers to the current question against unauthorized viewing. |
Hiding condition for this question | Depending on the answers the respondent has previously given, you can hide the question. To define the conditions, click on the Edit hiding condition link. For more information, see below. |
Activate horizontal / vertical flipping of answers | This function offers an alternative to randomization: The question’s items will be mirrored on the horizontal (vertical flipping) or the vertical (horizontal flipping) centerline. |
Mandatory (DAC) | If you tick the “Mandatory” checkbox, EFS will automatically check to see whether the respondent has answered this question. If this is not the case, an appropriate message will be dis- played. Please note: In the case of matrix questions, selecting this function will only ensure that at least any one item will be answered. You can force respondents to answer several items or all items by ticking the checkboxes in the “dac” column in the “Answer options” section of the entry form. |
Alternate colors | If this function is activated, answer options and inside titles will have alternating background colors (white and grey) to improve readability. |
Dynamic column text wrap after x answers | After the selected number of answer options has been reached the list wraps and a new column begins. This function is particularly well suited for use in combination with hiding conditions on item level or randomization, i.e. for situations in which “New column” is too static. |
Number of items visible | This field allows you to specify how many of the existing items are to be displayed:
Using this function is particularly recommended when combined with item randomization because the randomization produces varying item combinations. If the function is used in combination with hiding conditions for answer options, the output of the questionnaire page will be done by first considering the hiding conditions. Only after that will the number be limited. |
Wrap item text | If this option has been enabled, long answer texts will be wrapped automatically. This feature can be used with the question types 111, 112, 113, 121, 122 and 144. |
Dynamic questions on the same page
Depending on the answers survey participants give to a certain question you can specify, that follow-up questions should be hidden. To do so, in the appropriate question click on Define next to Hide question if … Here you can set the conditions for hiding questions. With the filter definition Standard, the hiding condition becomes effective, when the Continue button on the page with the source question is clicked. So both questions – source and target question – are on two different pages. Since release 21.2 you can also hide questions dynamically, meaning on the same page. You can create several questions on a single page and afterwards set the conditions for hiding them. For this to work dynamically, you have to choose Dynamic in browser under Filter definition.
This is shown in the following example:
Page 1 consists of three questions. For the first question, “What is the capital of Australia?”, question type 141 Text field (single row) was chosen. The next page, “That’s right!”, with question type 998 Text and image is set up to be hidden, if the participant has not entered anything into the text field yet (v_1 = 0) or enters another city than Canberra (v_1 != 'Canberra').
If the participant now enters the right answer (Canberra), “This is right” is dynamically displayed on the page, as the hiding conditions for this page are not met.
In case the participant enters another answer than Canberra, the following question is displayed on the same page: “That’s wrong”. That being so, the following hiding conditions apply for this question: v_1 = 0 (question is hidden, if participant hasn’t made any entries yet) OR v_1 = Canberra (question is hidden, if the participant enters “Canberra”).
When using text variables as source question (as in the above example), questions are only hidden or displayed, if the focus does not remain in the text entry field, e.g. when the participant clicks another area of the survey window or presses the Tab key. So the software does not check after every single key stroke, whether hiding conditions are met or not. This behaviour also applies to question type Slider (numbers) (911), for which you can choose the option Editable text field in the Detail configuration for participants to be able to enter a number into the text field.
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Please note that dynamic lists cannot be used, if the source and target question are placed on the same page – even if a dynamic hiding condition is in place. |
Dynamic answers
Feature | Description |
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Dynamic answers | If the answers are to be dynamically read from a list, you can make the corresponding settings in this area. |
Answers
Feature | Description |
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Variable name | Depending on question type and type of text field, this field is located either in the „Question options“ section or in a dedicated column. Internal variable names are automatically allocated by the system when creating a question |
External variable name | Depending on question type and type of text field, this field is located either in the „Question options“ section or in a dedicated column. |
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External variable names |
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External variable name
Depending on question type and type of text field, this field is located either in the „Question options“ section or in a dedicated column.
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can be changed and are then used on export instead of the internal variable names. | |
No | When creating the items, the numbering is automatically assigned by the system. You may change the numbering, but the changed numbering should be unique. If the numbering you assigned is not unique, an automatic, unique numbering will be assigned. |
Code | Serves to identify an answer option for in single response lists and matrix questions. An overview of all encodings is provided in the codebook.
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New | To create a new answer option, enter a new answer or item text into the “New” row. The sort number or the code (depending on the question type) will then be assigned automatically. |
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Arrow icons | Used to re-sort the answer options. Clicking on |
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the arrow icon in front of an answer option will open a script prompt. Enter the desired new position for the item. After you have confirmed by clicking |
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on OK, the position number will be changed automatically, and the numbers of all subsequent items will be corrected accordingly. Then click |
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on Save. Make the next position change, click |
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on Save again, etc. | |
Answer option / Dimension | Enter the answer options (or dimensions in matrix questions) in this field.
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Up to 100 answer options can be created for a single question. For some question types, less options are available, to guarantee an appealing design. The answer text may have up to 10,000 characters. But please keep in mind that overlong texts may negatively affect the appearance of the question. | |
Text field width | Depending on question type and type of text field, this field is located either in the „Question options“ section (e.g. 141), in a dedicated column (e.g. 143) or immediately besides the text field (e.g. 111, Answer option + text). It can be used to restrict the width of a specific text field.
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Please mind that the feature is not available for question type 363. | |
Input length (max.) | Depending on question type and type of text field, this field is located either in the „Question options“ section (e.g. 141), in a dedicated column (e.g. 143) or immediately besides the text field (e.g. 111, Answer option + text). It allows to restrict the number of characters that can be entered. |
Type | You can select the type of new answer option in this field. The following options are available:
With 5xx-er questions, you can instead choose between image and HTML |
Missing value | This option allows you to create a separate answer option, such as the answer |
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Randomization
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The order of the selected answer options will be changed randomly so that the respondents will see different arrangements. The extension “Grouping” enables you to randomize answer groups.
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New column
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This option allows you to show an answer option for your question in a separate column. This is especially suitable if you wish to offer an additional text field, separated from the answer options.
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DAC
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By activating the checkboxes in this column, you can ensure that, for matrix questions and multiple response questions, individual answer options, several answer options or all answer options must be answered.
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Always visible
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Delete
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The “Delete” option allows you to reduce the number of answer options.
Tabs
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Feature
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Description
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Questionnaire
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Questionnaire view.
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Page
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Page view.
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Preview question
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The window that opens will now only contain the current question, as opposed to the whole page as displayed in the Page preview.
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Only suitable for classic question types: Change question type
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This function allows you to change a question type to another without having to create the whole question again.
You can only change the existing question type to the ones displayed in the drop-down list. Select the desired question type and click on Change.
Please note that various special settings cannot be transferred when changing the question type. For example, hiding conditions and type checks will be lost.
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Scale library
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This function allows to open the scale library, where you can create a new scale.
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Only suitable for classic question
types: Add to library
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This function allows you to copy a finished question into the question library.
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Wildcards
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Clicking on this tab allows you to insert a previously created static wildcard into a question or answer field in the entry form.
Showing and Hiding Question Options
The “Question” section of the detail view can get quite extensive, due to the number of setting options and specific features for individual question types. This is remedied using layers that react dynamically: Thus, rarely used options can be shown and hidden as required. The saved settings will be valid for the entire project.
Showing and Hiding Setting Options
Switch to the question view, and click on the More icon.
A layer containing the hidden options will open. As soon as you enable a feature, it will be shown in the question view. Saving is not necessary. To close the layer, click on the x icon.
Configuring your Default Settings
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“Other”. This will, therefore, enable the respondent to indicate that none of the possible answers apply to them. Ticking the “Missing value” checkbox for an item marks the item as a “missing value” in the online statistics. (Caution: When exporting the data, e.g. as an SPSS file, any declaration as “Missing” must be performed again.) | |
Randomization | The order of the selected answer options will be changed randomly so that the respondents will see different arrangements. The extension “Grouping” enables you to randomize answer groups. Please note: The order of randomized questions on a page cannot be saved, so cannot be the subject of an evaluation. |
New column | This option allows you to show an answer option for your question in a separate column. This is especially suitable if you wish to offer an additional text field, separated from the answer options. |
DAC | By activating the checkboxes in this column, you can ensure that, for matrix questions and multiple response questions, individual answer options, several answer options or all answer options must be answered. |
Always visible |
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Delete | The “Delete” option allows you to reduce the number of answer options. |
Tabs
Feature | Description |
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Questionnaire | Questionnaire view |
Page | Page view |
Preview question | The window that opens will now only contain the current question, as opposed to the whole page as displayed in the Page preview. |
Only suitable for classic question types: Change question type | This function allows you to change a question type to another without having to create the whole question again. You can only change the existing question type to the ones dis- played in the drop-down list. Select the desired question type and click on Change. Please note that various special settings cannot be transferred when changing the question type. For example, hiding conditions and type checks will be lost. |
Scale library | This function allows to open the scale library, where you can create a new scale. |
Only suitable for classic question types: Add to library | This function allows you to copy a finished question into the question library. |
Wildcards | Clicking on this tab allows you to insert a previously created static wildcard into a question or answer field in the entry form. |
Showing and Hiding Question Options
The “Question” section of the detail view can get quite extensive, due to the number of setting options and specific features for individual question types. This is remedied using layers that react dynamically: Thus, rarely used options can be shown and hidden as required. The saved settings will be valid for the entire project.
Showing and hiding setting options
Switch to the question view, and click on the View icon.
A layer containing the hidden options will open. As soon as you enable a feature, it will be shown in the question view. Saving is not necessary. To close the layer, click on the x icon.
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Please note: Older versions of Internet Explorer cannot display the pop-up windows correctly. If a window is positioned over a drop-down box, the box will shine through. Therefore, pop-up windows can be moved. |
Configuring your own default settings
If you usually work with a constant set of question options, you can make these the default setting in the Options → Preferences menu on the Display of questionnaire editor tab.
Pipe survey data
You can use so-called dynamic wildcards to access and display answers already given or data saved in participant administration. When surveying children, for example, you can ask for the name of the child responding and then address the child by name during the further course of the survey.
For this purpose, the name of the corresponding variable, enclosed in two hash signs, is inserted into a question text or an answer option or at any other place in the questionnaire. For example, the #v_2315# wildcard is replaced with the content of the v_2315 project variable.
From EFS 10.3, piping simplifies the insertion of dynamic content: A dedicated dialog shows all available data. All you need to do is select the appropriate content.
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Please note:
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Using Piping to Insert Dynamic Content
To give the newly introduced piping a try, please proceed as follows:
Click on the Pipe survey data button in the question view.
In the drop-down list opened, select the desired data type among the available types, as e.g. survey variables, static wildcards or in personalized surveys particicpant variables.
Finally, select the specific variable and choose between label or code output. EFS will automatically insert the appropriate wildcard into the question text.
Dynamic Wildcards in Detail
Depending on the variable type, the following replacement rules apply:
Project variables (v_000n): Depending on whether you want to output the label or the code of the variable, use the following syntax:
#v_000n#: the label of the respective variable, code in e-mail.
#v_000n | label#: the label of the respective variable.
#v_000n|code#: the code of the respective variable.
For variables that refer to open-ended text fields, the entry made by the respon- dent will be displayed in both cases.
URL parameter (p_000n): The wildcards are #p_0001# for the first URL parameter, #p_0002# for the second URL parameter, etc.
User-defined variables c_000n: The wildcard is #c_000n#.
From EFS 10.5: Scoring variables #s_000x#: The wildcard is #s_000x#.
Participant variables u_000n: The wildcard for the participant administration contents is #variablename# (e.g. #u_language#).
Participant variables of the panelists in EFS Panel installations u_000n: The wildcard for the user table contents listed in Table 11.3 is #u_nameofvariable# (e.g. #u_name#).
Master data of the panelists in EFS Panel installations: The wildcards for master data, m_000n and md_000n, are #m_000n# and #md_000n#.
Other variables: #code# can be used to output the current participant’s access code in a personalized project. This option is needed e.g. for custom programming.
Transferring Answers from Another Project
In personalized projects and in panel and master data surveys on EFS Panel installa- tions, you are able to transfer the contents of variables from another project, i.e. if a participant has completed the source project, you can automatically import their ans- wers into the variables of the second project and use them there for filtering, evalua- tion and other purposes. Participation is assigned via the participant’s e-mail address.
Before you start
Please note:
Only data from permitted project types (personalized, panel and master data surveys) can be imported.
You can transfer the contents of project variables (v_000n), URL parameters (p_000n) and user-defined variables (c_000n).
The source and destination variable must have the same variable type.
The attribute levels must correspond with regard to content.
Attribute levels of the source variable that do not have an equivalent in the destination variable will not be transferred.
This feature should not be used in combination with data cleaning.
Making assignments
Open the Project properties → Variable data import menu.
Select the source project.
Confirm by clicking on Select source project.
Assign the first source variable from the source project to the respective destination variable in the current project.
Confirm by clicking on Save.
Repeat this operation for all variables that have to be assigned.
The Preview
When creating and editing the questionnaire, it is helpful to be able to directly monitor the impact the changes have on the questionnaire’s appearance. Via Preview icons located at all important places in the admin area you can preview the complete questionnaire, the respective question (“Preview question”) or the respective questionnaire page (“Page preview”) in a pop-up window.