Survey Question Types

Survey Designer Toolbox

The Survey Designer Toolbox offers various pre-formatted question types to choose from when designing a survey. To add a question, select a question type, which can then be customized using the properties panel to adjust its behavior.

Editing Questions in the Survey Designer:

Selecting a question allows for modifications.
Icons appear above the selected question, providing editing options.
Each question type has unique properties, which can be explored by selecting an option for more details.

Survey Designer Toolbox: Icon Descriptions

When editing a question in the Survey Designer, a set of icons appears above the selected question. Below is a description of each icon from left to right:

Drag and Drop – Click and hold to rearrange questions on the current page.
Note: To move a question to a different page, use the properties panel.
Delete – Click the “X” icon to remove the question from the survey.
Hide Title – Click the eye icon to hide the question’s title in the displayed survey.
Required – Select the exclamation point icon to make the question mandatory.
Users cannot submit the survey without answering required questions.
Copy – Duplicates the question within the same survey.
Add to Toolbox – Saves the question details for reuse across other surveys.
Note: This is temporary and will be lost if the page is refreshed or navigated away.
Question Type – Allows certain question types to be changed after being added.
Properties – Opens the properties panel for further customization.

Single Input Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Single Input question type is a flexible data entry field used for various formats, including:
✅ Short text (e.g., names, single-word answers)
✅ Long text (e.g., addresses, descriptions)
✅ Date (e.g., birthdays, event dates)
✅ Number (e.g., age, quantity)
✅ Datetime (e.g., timestamps)

Customizing Single Input Questions

Properties Panel → "General" Tab
- Adjust how participants view and interact with the question.
- Set input type (text, number, date, etc.).
- Link responses to participant variables for tracking.

Checkbox Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Checkbox question type allows participants to select multiple answers from a displayed list using clickable checkboxes.

Key Features:

✅ Multiple selections – Participants can choose more than one option.
✅ Displayed as a list – All choices are visible at once.
✅ Custom Variable Linking – Can only be linked to multi-select custom variables.

Important Consideration:

If no multi-select custom variables exist in your study, the "Survey Variable" dropdown will be blank.

Radiogroup Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Radiogroup question type allows respondents to select only one answer from a displayed list.

Key Features:

✅ Single selection only – Unlike Checkbox questions, which allow multiple selections, Radiogroup limits users to one choice.
✅ All options displayed – Participants can see the full list of choices at once.
✅ Custom Variable Linking – Can be linked to any single-select participant variable or custom variable.

Common Use Cases:

Radiogroup questions can be used for categorical data, including:

Ethnicity
Race
Recruitment Strategy
Recruitment Site
Sex
Status
Any other single-select variable in your study

Dropdown Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Dropdown question type functions similarly to the Radiogroup, allowing respondents to select one option from a list. However, unlike Radiogroup questions, the options remain hidden until the respondent clicks on the dropdown menu.

Key Features:

✅ Single selection only – Users can choose just one option.
✅ Compact format – Options are hidden until clicked, saving space on the survey.
✅ Custom Variable Linking – Can be linked to any single-select participant variable, such as:

Ethnicity
Race
Recruitment Strategy
Recruitment Site
Sex
Status
Any other single-select custom variable

Important Consideration:

The default display is blank, prompting users to click and select an option.

Comment Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Comment question type provides a large text area for respondents to enter multiple lines of text. It is best suited for open-ended responses that require more than just a few words.

Key Features:

✅ Supports multiline responses – Allows participants to enter detailed answers.
✅ Best for open-ended questions – Encourages descriptive feedback.
✅ Custom Variable Linking – Can only be linked to long text custom variables.

When to Use Comment vs. Single Input Questions:

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Comment Single Input Text Length Formatting Best For Custom Variable Linking

Rating Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Rating question type allows respondents to select one value from a range of numbers to provide feedback or a score.

Key Features:

✅ Single numeric selection – Respondents pick one number from a set range.
✅ Customizable scale – The default range is 1 to 5, but you can adjust:

Minimum & maximum values (e.g., 1–10, 0–100)
Increments (e.g., 0.5, 1, 2, 5)
✅ Custom Variable Linking – Can only be linked to number type Custom Variables.

Best Uses for Rating Questions:

Satisfaction surveys (e.g., "How satisfied are you with our service?")
Performance evaluation (e.g., "Rate the difficulty of this task.")
Opinion scales (e.g., "On a scale from 1–10, how likely are you to recommend this?")

Ranking Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Ranking question type allows respondents to prioritize a list of options by arranging them in order of importance or preference.

Key Features:

✅ Drag-and-drop functionality – Respondents can reorder items based on preference.
✅ Unlimited options – Users can add as many items as needed.
✅ Independent selection – Unlike Rating questions, each choice is ranked relative to others.
🚫 Not linkable to Ripple variables – Cannot be connected to Ripple-based data tracking.

Best Uses for Ranking Questions:

Prioritization – (e.g., "Rank these features in order of importance.")
Preference surveys – (e.g., "Rank these vacation destinations from most to least desirable.")
Decision-making – (e.g., "Rank the factors that influenced your purchase decision.")

Image Picker Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Image Picker question type allows respondents to select from custom images instead of text-based options.

Key Features:

✅ Custom images – Users can upload and display images as answer choices.
✅ Thumbnail display – Images appear in a grid format for easy selection.
✅ Customizable values – Each image can be assigned a value in the "Choices" section under the Properties panel.
✅ Flexible Variable Linking – Can be linked to:

Single-select participant variables
Multi-select participant variables
Short text variables
Long text variables
✅ Data Storage – When the survey is submitted, the image’s assigned value is stored in the linked participant variable.

Best Uses for Image Picker Questions:

Product preference surveys (e.g., "Select your favorite design.")
Visual-based choices (e.g., "Pick the best logo for our brand.")
Categorization tasks (e.g., "Choose the correct hazard sign.")
Interactive surveys (e.g., "Which destination appeals to you most?")

Boolean Question Type: Overview & Customization

The Boolean question type presents respondents with a binary choice using a toggle switch.

Key Features:

✅ Two-option selection – Respondents choose between True/False or Yes/No.
✅ Customizable labels – Default options are "No" and "Yes", but these can be changed in the Properties panel (e.g., "Agree/Disagree," "On/Off").
✅ Quick response format – Ideal for simple, decisive answers.

Best Uses for Boolean Questions:

Agreement verification (e.g., "Do you accept the terms and conditions?")
Binary preferences (e.g., "Would you like to receive email updates?")
Yes/No decision-making (e.g., "Are you currently employed?")

Important Note on Boolean Questions

🚨 Boolean questions cannot be linked to participant variables.

However, they are highly valuable for building survey logic, such as:
✅ Conditional branching – Directing respondents to different questions based on their answer.
✅ Enabling/disabling sections – Showing or hiding parts of the survey dynamically.
✅ Logic-based customization – Controlling follow-up questions based on responses.

Image Option: Overview & Usage

The Image option is used for visual styling rather than asking a question. Unlike other question types, it does not collect responses from participants.

Key Features:

✅ Enhances survey design – Adds images or videos for a more engaging experience.
✅ In-line display – Media appears alongside survey questions.
✅ Direct uploads – Content can be uploaded directly into the survey.
🚫 Not linkable to participant variables – Used for visuals only, not data collection.

Best Uses for the Image Option:

Branding – Add logos, banners, or icons.
Instructional visuals – Display diagrams or examples to aid understanding.
Mood setting – Use images or videos to create an immersive survey experience.

HTML Option: Overview & Usage

The HTML option is a content formatting tool rather than a question type. It is used to insert custom text and design elements into the survey.

Key Features:

✅ Enhances survey design – Allows for formatted text, such as headings, bold text, or colored fonts.
✅ Flexible use cases – Can be used for introductions, instructions, consent forms, or thank-you messages.
✅ Custom styling – Modify size, spacing, and color for a more professional look.
✅ Landing page creation – Design a custom survey start page with branding and styling.
🚫 Not linkable to Custom Variables – Used for presentation, not data collection.

Best Uses for HTML in Surveys:

Consent Forms – Add participant agreements before starting the survey.
Section Introductions – Provide context before a set of related questions.
Thank You Messages – Customize closing remarks after survey completion.
Landing Pages – Build a visually appealing welcome page with branding.

Signature Pad: Overview & Usage

The Signature Pad allows respondents to draw their signature, initials, or any other pattern directly into the survey.

Key Features:

✅ Freehand signature input – Users can sign using a touchscreen, mouse, or stylus.
✅ Saved in survey PDF – The signature is captured and stored in the generated PDF of responses.
✅ Potential for eConsent – Can be used for electronic consent (eConsent), depending on IRB requirements.
🚫 Not linkable to Custom Variables – The signature itself cannot be stored as a survey variable.
🛠 Upcoming Enhancement – Full 21 CFR Part 11 certification for enhanced eConsent verification (coming soon).

Best Uses for Signature Pad:

Electronic Consent (eConsent) – Obtain participant agreement digitally.
Authorization Forms – Capture signatures for permissions or acknowledgments.
Identity Confirmation – Ensure validation in workflows requiring participant initials/signatures.

Expression (Read-Only) Question Type: Overview & Usage

The Expression question type does not require user input but instead calculates and displays values based on other responses. Refer to this article to learn more.

Key Features:

✅ Auto-calculates values – Uses formulas to compute results dynamically.
✅ Read-only display – Respondents cannot edit the calculated value.
✅ Custom Variable Linking – Can store the result in short text, long text, or number custom variables.
✅ Best for derived data – Only the calculated value is saved, not the raw inputs.

Example Use Cases:

📌 BMI Calculation – Automatically compute Body Mass Index from height & weight inputs.
📌 Score Calculation – Display total quiz scores based on correct responses.
📌 Price Calculation – Calculate a total cost based on selected product options.
📌 Age Calculation – Derive a participant's age based on their birthdate entry.

Tip: Hiding Expression Calculations from Respondents

🚨 If you want to perform a calculation but don’t want respondents to see it, toggle "Is Visible?" to OFF in the properties panel.

Why Hide Calculations?

✅ Keep the survey clean and user-friendly by displaying only necessary information.
✅ Use background calculations for scoring, logic, or data processing without distracting respondents.
✅ Ensure accurate data storage without revealing internal calculations (e.g., automated risk scoring).

File Question Type: Overview & Usage

The File question type allows respondents to upload files directly within the survey.

Key Features:

✅ File Uploads – Respondents can submit documents, images, or other file types.
✅ Customizable settings – Adjust:

Maximum file size
Accepted file types (e.g., PDF, JPG, DOCX)
Single or multiple uploads
Enable/disable image previews
✅ Stored for future access – Uploaded files can be downloaded later for review.
🚫 Not linkable to participant variables – Files cannot be directly stored as a survey variable.

Best Uses for File Questions:

📌 Resume or Document Uploads – (e.g., "Upload your resume for job consideration.")
📌 Image Submissions – (e.g., "Submit a photo of your workspace.")
📌 Verification Documents – (e.g., "Upload a copy of your ID or certificate.")

Matrix Question Type: Overview & Usage

The Matrix question type allows multiple-choice questions to be displayed in a grid format, where respondents can answer several related questions using the same answer options.

Types of Matrix Questions:

✅ Single Choice Matrix – Respondents select only one option per row.
✅ Multiple Choice Matrix – Respondents can select multiple options for each row.
✅ Matrix with Dynamic Rows – Users can choose values for one or more dynamically added rows.

Key Features:

✅ Groups related questions – Efficiently presents similar questions in one compact format.
✅ Customizable logic – Each row can have unique logic applied.
✅ Drives logic for other questions – Matrix responses can determine visibility of other survey elements.
🚫 Not linkable to participant variables – Responses cannot be stored in participant variables.

Best Uses for Matrix Questions:

📌 Customer Satisfaction Ratings – (e.g., "Rate your experience with the following services.")
📌 Employee Feedback Surveys – (e.g., "How satisfied are you with these workplace aspects?")
📌 Product Comparisons – (e.g., "Which features do you use in these products?")

Multiple Text Question Type: Overview & Usage

The Multiple Text question type allows respondents to enter multiple pieces of text under a single question, with each input field corresponding to a different prompt.

Key Features:

✅ Multiple text entry fields – Each line has a separate text box for responses.
✅ Customizable labels – Define specific prompts for each text entry.
✅ Compact format – Reduces survey length by combining related text fields into one question.
🚫 Not linkable to participant variables – Responses cannot be stored in participant variables.

Best Uses for Multiple Text Questions:

📌 Contact Information – (e.g., "Enter your first name, last name, and email.")
📌 Short Responses – (e.g., "List three key takeaways from this session.")
📌 Personal Preferences – (e.g., "Provide your top three favorite hobbies.")

Panels: Overview & Usage

Panels are not individual questions but serve as a way to group multiple related survey questions together for better organization and logic control.

Key Features:

✅ Groups related questions – Helps differentiate themes in your survey.
✅ Supports logic-based visibility – Control when entire sections appear based on responses.
✅ Works with participant variables – Each question within a panel can be linked to participant variables, depending on the question type.
✅ Dynamic Panels – A special panel type that can show or hide additional questions based on responses within the panel.

Best Uses for Panels:

📌 Survey Sections – Organize questions into clear topics (e.g., "Demographics," "Experience Feedback").
📌 Conditional Logic – Show entire panels only if certain conditions are met.
📌 Follow-up Questions – Use Dynamic Panels to display more questions only if needed.