WebSurvey System
About Survey Question Types
The WebSurvey System offers 4 categories of survey items that encompass 22 subtypes of questions. This variety of options means that you can carefully craft survey items to obtain the type of responses and useful data that you want. This document describes the question types grouped by category.
Choice Questions
Choice questions provide choices from which your respondents will make a selection.
Database Dropdown
Choices in the dropdown list are pulled from a database. You must enter a valid SQL statement and the database connection string. Be extremely careful to ensure that the SQL entered will return results, and that the database connection information is valid. If either of these are incorrect, no data will be displayed. To learn more about this choice, contact web@uwec.edu.
Multiple Answers (Check boxes)
Generally, respondents are allowed select more than one of the choices presented by clicking a checkbox. You can set a minimum and maximum number of selections.
One Answer (Dropdown)
Respondents can select only one of the choices presented from a dropdown list.
One Answer (Option Buttons)
Respondents can select only one of the choices presented by clicking an option button.
True/False
Respondents must select True or False. These options can be presented in a dropdown menu or as option buttons.
Yes/No
Respondents must select Yes or No. These options can be presented in a dropdown menu or as option buttons.
Matrix Items
Matrix items ask the same questions or request the same information for multiple items.
Multiple Answers per Row (Checkboxes)
The same set of choices are provided for multiple items. Respondents make their selection by clicking checkboxes. For example: “Please indicate which of the following workshops you have attended for each program:” Items respondents are asked to rate are listed vertically. Choices ranging from Beginning to Advanced are the column headings for the checkboxes. Respondents can check all that apply.
Multiple Answers per Row (textboxes)
The same information is requested for multiple items. Responses are typed in text boxes. For example: “Please provide the following information regarding the classes you have already taken:” The classes are listed vertically. The information requested (e.g., Semester taken, Grade received) are the column headings for the text boxes.
One Answer per Row (Option buttons)
The same set of choices are provided for multiple items. Respondents make their selection by clicking option buttons. For example: “Please indicate the semester during which you took the following classes:” Classes are listed vertically. Semesters are the column headings for the option buttons. Respondents can select only one for each class.
Rating Scale (Numeric)
Respondents are asked to rate multiple items using a numeric scale. You can set the low and high numbers. No labels appear for the numbers. For example: "On a scale of 1-7, please rate the quality of service you received in the following areas:" The service areas are listed vertically, the number scale comprises the column headings for the option buttons. Respondents can select only one number for each item.
Open Ended Questions
When your respondent will be typing their response, use an open ended question.
Comments Box
Respondents type their response in a multi-line text box. This item is can be used when you anticipate or want an answer of more than a couple of words.
Constant Sum
Responses are numbers that are to be totaled. You can specify what the numbers must total. For example, for the question “Indicate the percentage of time you spend on the following tasks:” a blank is provided after each task. You may require that the responses total 100.
Date
Respondents must provide a date in the format mm/dd/yyyy. You can set parameters for the earliest and latest dates acceptable.
Number
Responses are numbers. You can set parameters for the smallest and largest values acceptable and for the maximum number of characters that can be entered.
One Line
Respondents type their response in a one-line text box. This item is can be used when you anticipate or want an answer of only a couple of words. You can you can use this to request an email address that is validated. Additionally, you can specify the maximum number of characters that can be entered.
One or More Lines
Respondents type their response to one or more prompts. For example, “Please provide two or three words you would use to describe each of the following:” A text box is provided after each item. You can specify the minimum and maximum number of responses that must be entered and you can specify the maximum number of characters that can be entered.
Ranking
Respondents value rank the items listed. Responses must start with “1”.
Presentation Items
Presentation items are those which do not require a response. They add information or formatting.
Heading
Inserts text formatted as a heading within the page. Use this to group questions on a page and let respondents know what the questions pertain to.
Horizontal Rule (HR)
Inserts a graphical line. Use this as a divider between sections on a page.
HTML
Inserts HTML and content. Use this to add linked text or special formatting.
Image
Inserts an image. Images can be used to illustrate questions.
Message
Inserts regular text, which is not a question. This could be used to add introductory information following a heading.
