Matrix Question

[James Gillock]

AMatrix question is a group of multiple-choice questions displayed in a grid of rows and columns. The rows present the questions to the respondents, and the columns offer a set of predefined answer choices that apply to each question in the row. Very often the answer choices are on a scale.

It is best to use Matrix questions when asking several questions in a scaled format about a similar idea. They can be applied either as a mini-survey on their own or as a single-question type within a larger questionnaire. The closed-ended, predefined answers that apply to a series of questions make Matrix questions great for:

Matrix questions are commonly used in customer experience surveys. For example, to ask a respondent about their experience on a flight, the rows might ask the respondent about the service, food, or entertainment while the columns ask them to choose a rating response.

Oftentimes a questionnaire includes many ideas, but some of them are specific to a subtopic within that survey. Matrix questions are an effective way to cluster these ideas into a format the respondent can easily understand.

The format and structure of Matrix question types supply some unique benefits. Because it is a series of questions presented as a single table, it appears as a single question on the survey. This has the benefit of saving space (both on paper and in a digital survey) as well as reducing drop-offs from respondents who do not want to answer five nearly identical questions back-to-back.

Another issue can be the addition of too many rows or columns, which may negatively affect the data quality. If there are too many choices, respondents might lose interest (and be more likely to enter insincere answers to move quickly through it). In some cases, this can affect formatting as well, particularly in a digital survey environment such as mobile. If the Matrix question is not designed for an optimal mobile user experience, it can be confusing or frustrating for respondents.

Some survey companies will also charge for each row in the Matrix, as though they are individual questions, which may change the cost of the overall survey. Keep this in mind when building your questionnaire. (Pollfish views Matrix questions as a single question type, so pricing does not vary based on the number of rows and columns included).

Matrix questions, like regular multiple-choice questions, can be either single-selection or multiple-selection. This means that a respondent can choose either a single answer choice per row or they could choose multiple answer choices per row.

A Likert Scale is a specific type of Matrix question designed to measure opinions linearly. Using a 5- or 7-point scale to collect user sentiments, a Likert Scale can be used to determine scaling attitudes such as:

A Matrix question is a format for the question, meaning it is presented in a grid (or matrix). While Matrix questions often happen to be Likert Scales, Matrix questions can also be applied across a variety of use cases outside of attitudinal measurement, as shown above.

Matrix questions are best used as to ask several questions about a similar idea when there is a scale involved. They can be used either as a mini-survey on their own, or as a single question type within a larger questionnaire.

Matrix questions are great to use for closed-ended, predefined answers that apply to a series of questions. These are appropriate for customer experience/ satisfaction surveys, questions about a subtopic in a larger questionnaire and for making rating-scale questions more digestible.

It's the other way around. A Likert Scale is a type of matrix question that is designed to measure opinions in a linear fashion. Using a 5 or 7 point scale to collect user sentiments, a Likert Scale can be used to determine scaling attitudes.

Matrix questions can be either single-selection or multiple-selection. This means they can either be a single answer choice per row, or they could choose multiple answer choices per row. These might be used in competitive analysis surveys to understand how a product or brand is faring against competitive offerings.

A matrix question is a group of multiple-choice questions displayed in a grid of rows and columns. The rows present the questions to the respondents, and the columns offer a set of predefined answer choices that apply to each question in the row. Very often the answer choices are offered in a scale.

Hi All. I have the same issue. However, while I feel that I have followed the approach suggested, it doesn't seem to achieve the outcome I want. If I uncheck the Force Response box, none of the options (12 different types of psychological treatment, with choices on a 5-point Likert scale) requires a response, but if I check the Force Response box all of the options, including three at the end, which display an "Other" text box allowing users to describe another treatment they would use (and which I want to be optional), require a response despite Custom Validation being in place. A screenshot of the last lines of my customised validation appears below. The part that can't be seen follows the same logic. Suggestions anyone? Thanks

Hi AndrewS :

I've been stuck on this for the last few days for a survey I am working on, and finally figured it out.

I know this is a really late response but your AND statements need to be moved to another logic set (right click on the AND and select that option). The screen should look like the first screenshot in thread, where the AND is out and above the next set of statements to evaluate.

You will also need to turn off Force Response, because it seems like if you have that on, it overrides whatever you have in custom validation.

That should resolve the issue you have.

I have the same question and im sorry but i don't understand the explanation of the logic i need to build. I want them to pick one of the likert responses for everything but not be forced to if Other hasn't been selected. I don't understand the AND statements i need to build to achieve this? please help!!!!

I am working on recreating a paper survey to digital in Survey123 and I find that adding a matrix question type as shown in below image would be really helpful. I understand that it's just of set of singleline text stacked together, but without it the survey would become ridiculously long.

We solved this by dragging the dividing line (between the questions and the response options) further left. This forces the questions to word wrap in a shorter space and gives more room for the response options.

In my current role as a district instructional coach, I enjoy sharing strategies with my colleagues that support critical thinking skills for students. One strategy that has proven to be very popular with teachers and students is the Question Matrix, developed by Weiderhold and Kagan in 1995. On the surface, the matrix is a visually appealing organizer containing question starters.

A good place to start would be getting students to ask questions. When working with students like English learners who might struggle to answer questions, consider printing out this chart as a poster resource. It is highly effective when used with an image, like a painting, a photograph, or a still from a video. A colleague of mine used this strategy recently by beginning a history unit on westward expansion with the famous painting by John Gast called American Progress, but perhaps better known informally as Manifest Destiny.

In the next lesson, the teacher replaced the image with a new one: thousands of bison skulls stacked on top of each other collected at a rendering plant. The students were shocked at the image. They immediately connected this image to American Progress, and their questions seamlessly extended to the realm of speculation and opinion. Perhaps more importantly, they demanded answers.

The question matrix can be used in any content area and at most grade levels. An image of devastation caused by an earthquake or tsunami could introduce a unit on earth science. A particularly insightful passage from a novel could inspire a guided class discussion starting at surface level and progressing to speculative thinking. As students extend their thinking, they are also learning how to support it with evidence.

In summary, the question matrix is a wonderful strategy to use with students to demonstrate and support critical thinking. It can be used to introduce a topic and assess background knowledge, develop inquiry skills, establish and guide original research, scaffold and differentiate learning for all students, and as a resource to support those developing their English language skills.

John Miller is a California Teacher of the Year Finalist (2017) and Fulbright Fellow, having researched games and learning in Singapore (2019). He currently works with underperforming and economically disadvantaged students in middle school, promoting literacy through innovative uses of educational technology. John would like to thank NNSTOY for giving him this opportunity to share his passion. You can learn more about John by visiting his website, johnmillerEDU.com, and by following him on Twitter, @johnmillerEDU.

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