Matrix and multi-matrix

Matrix and multi-matrix

NoviSurvey support sophisticated both matrix and multi-matrix questions. Matrix questions have one segment and multi-matrix questions have multiple segments. A segment corresponds to a set of related columns in the matrix. For example, a segment may be used to rate items represented in the rows for the question (see also figure below).

Two types of segment are supported:

Rating segments: rating segments are used to record numerical values for the items in the rows for the question. A single value can be recorded for each row.
Label segments: label segments allow free text column headers and allow for textual, numerical or choice input in the cells of the segment.

See Adding a new question for help on fields common to all question types.

Matrix rows

Defines the rows in the question. The rows are common to all segments. The text for each row must be provided for each of the languages in the survey.

Option Randomize rows controls the order in which the rows will be shown in the matrix when respondents take the survey. By default, the rows are shown in the order in which they appear in the table (see illustration). If Randomize rows is selected, the order of the rows will be determined randomly when the page is presented to a respondent.

To reorder the rows, use arrows and .

To add a new row, use the Add row button.

To delete a row, use the Remove button. Rows that are referenced by page conditions and report filters cannot be deleted until the conditions or filters are deleted.

Matrix segments

The matrix segments for the question define the columns and the type of responses expected for each row.

To add a new segment to the question use button .

To delete a segment, use button. Segments that are referenced by page conditions or report filters cannot be deleted until the conditions or filters are deleted.

Field Segment heading define the text shown in the header for the segment. The segment heading is optional.

Field Column type specifies the type for the segment, either Rating or Label (see above for more details).

Field Position rel. to row text specifies whether the segment will be displayed to the right or to the left of the row text for the matrix (row text is defined in field Matrix rows as detailed above).

Rating segments have the following fields:

Required: A rating for each row in the matrix is required.
Low value label: The label to show for the low rating value in the segment. The field is optional.
Middle value label: The label to show for the middle value in the range in the segment. The field is optional.
High value label: The label to show for the high rating value in the segment. The field is optional.
Adaptive column width: If set, the width of the columns will be adjusted based on the values set for "Low value label" and "High value label" such that the labels overlap at most 2 cells containing for the rating scale. If the the option is not set, the column width will not be adjusted, resulting in a generally more compact matrix.
Include NA option: Controls is the segment includes an option that corresponds to "No rank".
NA option text: The column header for the NA option. This field is available only when the NA option is selected.
Low rank value: The integer value corresponding to the lowest possible rank.
High Rank value: The integer value corresponding to the highest possible rank.
Invert rating: allows to invert ratings for the segment.

Example: if a rating segment with values from 1 to 5 is defined for the question and a respondent select value 1 for a row with the Invert ratings option selected. NoviSurvey will record the value as 5 rather than 1. Similarly, if the selected value is 2, the recorded value is 4 etc.

Rating inversion is especially useful for psychological surveys that ask a series or positively and negatively stated questions relating to the same topic.

Note that after responses are gathered for the matrix, the rating inversion option should not be changed as it would modify the meaning of the values recorded for responses.

Each rating unique: Each row in the matrix must have a rating distinct from any other row. Note that this option should be selected only when there are at least as many rating available as there are rows in the matrix.

The segments will comprise columns for each of the rank between the low rank value and the high rank value. For example, if the low rank value is set to 1 and the high rank value is set to 3, the segment will include columns with headers 1, 2, and 3.

Label segments have the following fields:

Required: A rating for each row in the matrix is required. This option is available only for label segments with a cell value of either "Radio button", or "Text box (integer number)". For label segments with cell value "Text box (text)", use the "Required" option available for each column in the segment. For label segments with cell value "Checkbox", use field "Min. number of answers" to make the segment required.
Cell value: the type of value for the cells in the segment. To restrict respondent selection to a single value, choose Radio button; to allow selection of any number of values, choose Check box; to allow a free text answer for each column, choose Text box (text); to allow a numeric (integer) answers for each column, choose Text box (integer number)
Minimum: sets the minimum allowed value. This option is provided only when cell value is Text box (integer number).
Maximum: sets the maximum allowed value. This option is provided only when cell value is Text box (integer number).
Row sum: sets the required sum of the values for each row. This option is provided only when cell value is Text box (integer number).

Min. number of answers: sets the minimum number of answers that must be selected for each row. This option is provided only when cell value is Check box.

Max. number of answers: sets the maximum number of answers that can be selected for each row. This option is provided only when cell value is Check box.

Required: specifies in an answer is required for a given column. This option is provided for each column when the cell value is Text box (text) or Text box (integer number)
Randomize columns: when this option is set, the order of the columns in the segment will be random when a respondent views the page with the question. By default, the column are shown to respondents in the order in which appear in the columns table (see illustration).
Columns: the columns headers for the segment. One value must be defined for each column and for each language for the survey.

To reorder the columns, use arrows and . As discussed above, the order of the columns is meaningful only when option Randomize columns is not set.

Rating segment

Label segment