SIMPLE RANK ORDERING
Introduction
The Simple Rank Ordering question type allows users to input a list of attributes and rank them in order of preference, importance, or relevance. Chisquares automatically generates a parallel ranking system, ensuring each attribute is assigned a unique position. This feature is ideal for prioritization tasks, decision-making studies, and user preference analysis.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and managing Simple Rank Ordering questions on Chisquares, covering both basic and advanced functionalities.
Features of Simple Rank Ordering in Chisquares
- Question Text Input: Create and format the core question prompt.
- Response Options: Define responses to be ranked.
- Required Toggle: Make the question mandatory to proceed.
- Media Attachments: Support for audio, image, or video file uploads.
- Attribute Input: Users enter a list of items to be ranked.
- Unique Labeling: Each attribute receives a unique label.
Use Cases
The Simple Rank Ordering Question type is designed to capture respondent preferences, priorities, or judgments by having them rank a list of items in a specific order. This format is ideal for comparative analysis and helps reveal the relative importance of choices.
Common use cases include:
-
Preference Ranking: Determine which products, features, or services users value most.
Example: “Rank these mobile phone brands based on your personal preference.” -
Decision-Making Studies: Understand how respondents prioritize competing factors.
Example: “Rank the following job benefits from most to least important.” -
Behavioral Research: Explore attitudes, associations, or tendencies in ranked form.
Example: “Rank these daily activities by how much time you spend on each.” -
Education & Assessments: Assess comprehension through ranking-based learning tasks.
Example: “Rank the following historical events in chronological order.” -
Market Testing: Evaluate how consumers rate marketing messages, slogans, or design elements.
Example: “Rank these campaign slogans by effectiveness.”
When to Use Simple Rank Ordering Questions
Use Simple Rank Ordering Questions when:
- You need respondents to assign a unique rank to each item from a common list.
- It’s important to understand the relative order of importance or preference, not just selection.
- You want to limit the selection to a forced-choice format where every item is distinctly positioned.
- Your research focuses on priority, impact, or sequence-based analysis.
- You aim to compare item positioning across participants or segments.
Scenario-Based Example
In a cultural literacy study, participants are asked:
“Please rank the following Latin statements by character count, with 1 being the shortest and 5 the longest.”
This captures not only familiarity with content but also visual interpretation and attention to detail.
Basic Setup
1. Enter Question
- Type your question using the rich-text editor (bold, italics, hyperlinks, etc.).
2. Add Answer Options
- Manually input up to 2 default options and add more by clicking More. Provide a unique label for each option.
3. Mark as Required (Optional)
- Toggle “Required” to make it mandatory.
4. Add Media (Optional)
- Upload an image, video, or audio file (max 4MB) to support the question prompt.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Create a New Question
To begin creating a Simple Rank Ordering question:
- Log into your Chisquares Investigator Portal.
- Navigate to the Survey Design section.
- Click on the Create a New Question button.
Step 2: Select the Question Type
- In the question type section, select Ranking Questions.
- Choose Simple Rank Ordering from the list of available question types.
- Click Use Selected questionnaire item.
Step 3: Add Your Question
- After selecting the Simple Rank Ordering type, you will be prompted to add your question. Enter your question in the provided text box.
Example: Please rank the following Latin statements by character count, with 1 being the shortest and 5 the longest: - Apply formatting using the toolbar.
Step 4: Add Answer Options
- Manually input up to 2 default options and add more by clicking More.
Example:- Veni, vidi, vici
- E pluribus unum
- Carpe diem
- Amor vincit omnia
- Per aspera ad adstra
Step 5: Make the Question Required (Optional)
If you want to require participants to answer this question, toggle the Required switch at the top-right of the panel. This ensures respondents cannot proceed without answering the question.
Step 6: Add Media (Optional)
You can upload media (images, videos, or audio files) to accompany the question. Here’s how:
- Click the paperclip icon at the top-right of the panel.
- Upload your media file (must be under 4MB).
- Once uploaded, choose the alignment for the media (left, right, or center). The default text overlay will say, “View the media below, then answer the following question.”
Preview Mode
Before finalizing the Simple Rank Ordering question setup, it’s important to preview how it will appear to participants.
- Click the Preview button to see the question as participants will view it.
- Make sure all options, media, and settings look as expected.
Final Step: Push to Questionnaire
Once you are satisfied with your Simple Rank Ordering setup:
- Click Push to Questionnaire to add the question to your live survey.
- If you need to make edits later, you can always return to the question editor to make changes.
Example Question Setup
Question
Please rank the following Latin statements by character count, with 1 being the shortest and 5 the longest:Responses
- Veni, vidi, vici
- E pluribus unum
- Carpe diem
- Amor vincit omnia
- Per aspera ad adstra
Additional Features:
- Required: No
- Add Section Header (Optional): Toggle this switch to add a section header to the question for context or grouping.
- Add Footer Prompt (Optional): Toggle this switch to include a closing note or prompt at the bottom of the question.
Simple Rank Ordering Added
Simple Rank Ordering Pushed Preview
Simple Rank Ordering Appearance on the Participant Portal
Value Proposition on the Chisquares Platform
Chisquares simplifies and strengthens the ranking experience by combining drag-and-drop ease with precise data capture. It ensures unique values for each item and supports clean, structured export formats for rapid analysis.
Key platform-specific advantages include:
-
Drag-and-Drop Ranking Interface
Participants can intuitively reorder options using a simple, interactive interface. -
Automatic Rank Validation
Each option is assigned a unique rank, preventing duplication or incomplete responses. -
Attribute Labeling
Assign unique variable labels to each ranked item for clean, analyzable output. -
Flexible Input Configuration
Add as many ranked options as needed, with up to 2 default responses and more via the “More” button. -
Media Support
Embed images, videos, or audio prompts to supplement the ranking task. -
Required Toggle
Ensure full completion of the ranking before participants can continue. -
Preview Mode
Test and confirm user experience before pushing to a live survey. -
Structured Export Format
Each item’s final rank is stored in a distinct variable, ideal for regression, comparative, or ordinal analysis.
Conclusion
The Simple Rank Ordering feature on Chisquares provides an intuitive and structured method for collecting ranked responses. By ensuring data integrity through validation checks, unique labeling, and multiple input options, researchers can efficiently analyze prioritization patterns within their surveys.
To watch a video of this question being set up, click the link below: link