Question types 3: Matrix of questions

Battery of questions – also referred to as a matrix, it is a special type of closed-ended question, that on each line contains either questions or pre-question points, for which identical answer options are prepared in the columns. By pre-question we mean an unspecified question stated above the battery of questions itself, that relates to the individual points included in it.

The battery of questions is very variable and therefore suitable for clarification and streamlining of the entire questionnaire, where similar areas of research need to be described.

Advantages and disadvantages of matrix:

Matrix allows you to unify more similar questions and save a lot of space	Too large a matrix can be confusing and discourage the respondent
Matrix is perceived by the respondents as one question.	In some cases, it can be difficult to find a universal scale for each of the issues listed.

Example of matrix with single choices

For this question, the respondent selects only one answer per line.

Example of an enumerated matrix

The respondent can select one or more answers on each line.

Example of a matrix with Likert scale

See. Likert Scale and Selective Battery of questions.

Visualisation of matrix results

Analyzing the battery of questions is not complicated at all. The following chart shows an example of how individual answers can be displayed. The answers for the whole battery are arranged in one graph and can be easily compared – each group of columns represents one row from the matrix.

In the next part, we will focus on semi-closed / semi-open questions.

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