Array questions

Topics: Copying; logic; subquestions

Arrays are a common question type used when you need scaled responses to a series of subquestions. The most common example is the ‘How much do you agree with the following statements?’ type. Responses are usually placed on a Likert scale.

Section Video
Add another question group
  1. In the Survey explorer panel on the left-hand side of the screen, click on the Add Group button.
  2. In the Title: text box, type Food.
  3. In the Description: box, type (or copy and Paste as Plain Text):

This section relates to your food consumption over a typical week. It is broken down into 3 main areas: Fruit & Veg, Grains & Dairy and Meat, Poultry & Fish. Please answer as honestly and accurately as possible.

  1. Click the Save and close button.

Creating Array questions

Create the question
  1. Click the Add new Question to Group button for the Food group.
  2. In the Code: text box, type FV.
  3. In the Question: text box, type (or copy and Paste as Plain Text):

Fruit and Vegetables Please select how often you eat at least ONE portion of the following foods and drinks.

  1. Bold the heading Fruit and Vegetables.
  2. In the Help: text box, type (or copy and Paste as Plain Text):

A portion includes: a handful of grapes, an orange, a serving of carrots, a side salad.

  1. Italicise the Help text.
  2. Question type: scroll down to Arrays, then choose Array.
  3. Click the Save and close button.
Create the subquestions
  1. Click the Edit subquestions button on the Survey toolbar`.
  2. Code: FV1
  3. In the first text box, type Fruit (tinned or fresh).
  4. Click the Insert a new subquestion after this one button (the ‘+’ sign), then repeat until all answer options are added.

Vegetables (fresh, frozen or tinned) Beans or pulses (including baked beans)

  1. Click the Save and close button.
Create the answer options
  1. Click the Edit answer options button on the Survey toolbar.
  2. Code: FVa
  3. In the first text box, type Rarely or never.
  4. Add the Answer options: as for the subquestions incrementing the codes – FVb, FVc, etc. – as you go.

1-3 times per week 4-6 times per week 7+ times per week

  1. Click the Save and close button.
  2. Preview the question, then close the Preview tab.

Second array question

Create the question
  1. Click the Add new Question to Group button for the Food group.
  2. In the Code: text box, type GDS.
  3. In the Question: text box, type or copy and Paste as Plain Text:

Grains, Dairy and Sugars Please selected how often you eat at least ONE portion of the following foods and drinks.

  1. Bold the heading Grains, Dairy and Sugars.
  2. In the Help: text box, type or copy and Paste as Plain Text:

A portion includes: a bowl of cereal, one slice of bread, one glass of milk.

  1. Italicise the Help text.
  2. Question type: scroll down to Arrays, then choose Array.
  3. Click the Save and close button.
Create the subquestions
  1. Click the Edit subquestions button on the Survey toolbar.

GDS1 Fibre-rich breakfast cereal (like Weetabix, Fruit & Fibre, Porridge, Muesli) GDS2 Wholemeal, rye or grain bread GDS3 Milk, cheese or yoghurt

  1. Click the Save and close button.
Create the answer options
  1. Click the Edit answer options button on the Survey toolbar.

GDSa Rarely or never

GDSb 1-3 times per week
GDSc 4-6 times per week
GDSd 7+ times per week

  1. Click the Save and close button.
  2. Preview the question, then close the Preview tab.

Third array question

Create the question
  1. Click the Add new Question to Group button for the Food group.
  2. In the Code: text box, type MPF.
  3. In the Question: text box, type or copy and Paste as Plain Text:

Meat, Poultry and Fish Please selected how often you eat at least ONE portion of the following foods.

  1. Bold the heading Meat, Poultry and Fish.
  2. Question type: scroll down to Arrays, then choose Array.
  3. Click the Save and close button.
Create the subquestions
  1. Click the Edit subquestions button on the Survey toolbar.

**MPF1 Beef, lamb or pork
MPF2 Chicken or turkey (not in batter or breadcrumbs)
MPF3 Sausages, bacon, corned beef, meat pies, burgers
MPF4 Chicken nuggets, chicken burgers, chicken pies
MPF5 White fish
MPF6 Oily fish - like herrings, sardines, salmon, trout, mackerel, fresh tuna (not tinned tuna) **

  1. Click the Save and close button.
Create the answer options
  1. Click the Edit answer options button on the Survey toolbar.

MPFa Rarely or never
MPFb 1-3 times per week
MPFc 4-6 times per week
MPFd 7+ times per week

  1. Click the Save and close button.
  2. Preview the question, then close the Preview tab.
Branching logic Setting quotas