Reference Manual > Questions > Question overview

A question entry is the basic unit from which questionnaires are defined. A question entry describes the question to be asked and the type of answer expected.

Questions will be asked in the order (sequence) that they appear in the entry list unless program entries for randomisation have been used, see Entry details window.

Questions can be filtered so that not all respondents are asked the question, see Filters.

Carry forward text can be used within a question text to refer back to the answer given to an earlier question.

Questions can be pre-answered based on earlier questions, see Entry details window.

To define a new question, from the Main window, use [Insert] [Question entry] or the toolbar button.

TIP: if your questionnaire already exists (for example, as a Word document), it is possible to copy and paste question texts and sets of answers to create question entries using [Insert] [Add question entries from imported text]. See also Questions from text.

Questions are entered by making selections from the Entry details window. For each question you must specify:

•Name, to identify the question, for example Q3, but not a reserved name

•Type of answer, for details see Question types

•Text, to give the question to be asked and to appear on a printed questionnaire

•Any filters to be applied to the question

•Response list for single-coded and multi-coded questions, see Responses

Answers are allocated data locations to show where they are to be stored in raw data files. These data locations can be allocated by the program or you can set them yourself, see Matching data locations.

There are many other settings that can be used on questions.

A group of questions that ask the same question for different subjects (elements) is called a Grid question set.

ZZZ question entries should be included in the project. These are questions that are not asked, they are used to collect important information during data input.

CATI projects will also contain one or more TELNUM questions with the sample telephone numbers.