Question On behalf of sytan:
Hi,
I would like to know will there be any additional answer types to be impemented in the coming release? I would like to have answer type such as Ranking or Constant Sum field, is there any planning to be added in the coming version? Besides, additional answer type, will you consider to add in Active Directory integration as well?
If there is, what is the estimated release date?
Thanks & regards,
shuyi
Answer:
Hello Shuyi,
The active directory integration is a nice suggestion and is certainly an item to add to any of the next versions. It is not likely that it will be part of the next release of Survey yet. Also no date or deadline is set yet for the next version.
Concerning the answer types they are also good ideas also but no plans for them yet. You can find some documentation on creating you own answertypes by downloading the sourcecode from the codeplex site: see Trunk/ C_sharp samples/ExtendNsurvey.doc
This however means you have to do your own programming. We will consider if these additional types can become part of the next survey version based on the following descriptions:
Constant Sum Scale Question
The constant sum scale produces what is assumed to be a ratio measurement scale. Ratio data is the most powerful of all measurement scales because it is characterized by an absolute zero point and an allocation of points, each having equal value. Ratio scales measure the magnitude of a characteristic and scale the differences between alternatives.
Constant sum data is obtained by asking the respondent to "Assign 100 points across the answer options so as to reflect your degree of preference, importance, or other evaluation" Typical questions might include identifying not only liking or preference, but attribute strength, or intention to buy, look for a new job and so forth.
Randomize: We know that in elections, being the first on the list increases chances of election. Similar bias occurs in all questionnaires when the same answer appears at the top of the list for each respondent. Randomization corrects this bias by presenting a random choice order for each respondent.
Example Question Preview
What percentage of your major credit card purchases do you put on each of these major cards? *
Visa .....
Master Card ....
American Express .....
Discover Card .....
None of the above .....
Values must add up to 100
Rank Order Question
The rank order question increases the power of the categorical measurement scale by including the characteristic of order to the data. Whereas the categorical data associated with most multiple choice items does not permit us to say that one item is greater than another, rank order data allows for the analysis of differences.
Rank order data uses an answer format that requires the respondent to assign a rank position for the first, second,... up to the nth item to be ordered. This format of assigning position numbers is very versatile. Respondents may be asked to rank a specified subset from the list (such as their first, second, and third choices from a list), or to rank all items in the list. Typical questions might include identifying preference rankings, attribute association strength, first to last, oldest to youngest, or relative position (most , next most, and so forth, until either a set number of items is ordered or all items may be ordered).
Variations: Some variations of the question exist.
Randomize: We know that in elections, being the first on the list increases chances of election. Similar bias occurs in all questions where the same answer appears at the top of the list for each respondent. Randomization corrects this bias by presenting a random choice order for each respondent.
Ties: If ties are permitted, several items may be evaluated as having the same rank. In general this is not a good idea because it weakens the data. However, if ties truly exist, then the ranking should reflect this. If branching is selected and a tie occurs, the first item with a tie is selected. This is an arbitrary rule, but one that makes sense if answers are randomized.
Example Question Preview
Please rank the following credit cards in order of preference (1 - Most Preferred, 4 - Least Preferred)
Visa ....
MasterCard .....
American Express .....
Diners Club .....
Rank Values must be between 1 and 4
For more samples also see : http://www.surveypro.com/tutorial/