How to Create a Ranking Item

This guide demonstrates how to configure a ranking question (respondents rank a list of items) using a Matrix Item. In this example, we create an item that asks respondents to rank sports teams from "favorite" to "least favorite".

Add Matrix Item

Select Add Item on the desired survey page.

Select Matrix from the list of Question Items.

Select Next to continue

Add Question Text

Add Rows

On the Rows tab, enter the options you want respondents to rank.

Add Column

On the Columns tab, select Add Column.

Select Rating Scale from the list of Question Items.

Select Next to continue.

On the Behavior tab configure:

  1. Scale Start Value - Because we entered four sports teams to rank, we want to make a rating scale that ranges from 1 to 4. In this example we set the Scale Start Value to 1.
  2. Scale Start Text - In this example we want a rating score of 1 to represent a respondent's favorite team, therefore we entered "Favorite" into the Scale Start Text field.
  3. Scale End Value - In this example we set the Scale End Value to 4.
  4. Scale End Text - In this example we want a rating score of 4 to be equal to "Least Favorite", therefor we entered "Least Favorite" into the Scale End Text field.

On the Column Options tab set "Each answer in this column must be unique" to "Yes". This will ensure that a respondent will select a different rating for each sports team.

Select Finish to save your configuration.

Save Column

Your new Rating Scale column should now appear in the columns list.

Select Save to save the column.

Save Matrix Item

View the Preview tab to make sure the matrix item looks correct.

Select Save to save the item.

Test Item

Before making the survey live to respondents, be sure to test the ranking functionality.

Select Test and click on the available test link when it appears.

Test the ranking item by selecting the same rating score for two or more sports teams. In this example we selected a rating score of 2 for both the Celtics and the Bruins.

Select the Next/Continue survey navigation button to attempt to proceed to the next page. Red error text should appear in your Matrix stating "Each answer in this column must be unique."

Change your response by selecting a different rating score for each sports team.

Select the Next/Continue survey navigation button. You should now be allowed to proceed to the next page.

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