Overview

This article provides information about the Scale library feature in a survey tool. It covers how to create, manage, and use scales across multiple matrix questions in surveys.

Information

The Scale library is a feature that allows users to create and reuse scales for matrix questions in surveys. This article explains how to access the library, create new scales, export scales from existing questions, and import scales into matrix questions.

• Matrix scales
• Scale overview
• Creating a new scale in the scale library
• Exporting a scale from a question into the scale library
• Inserting scales from the scale library into the questionnaire

 

Matrix scales

Matrix scales are frequently used several times: It may be that a specially developed scale is used several times in a survey or that a popular scheme such as, for example, school marks, crops up time and time again. The scale library available across the entire installation saves you the trouble of creating a scale repeatedly: You only need to create a frequently requested scaling scheme once in the scale library. From there you can import it into the matrix questions and then adapt it to the specific situation.

Imagine, for example, that in your survey you have evaluated the skills of ten well-known football players each in a matrix question. For evaluation, you choose the following scale:

'Football wizard – Good technique – Acceptable average – Useless – Don’t know'

Instead of rebuilding this scheme for each of the ten matrix questions only create the scale once in the scale library and then import it into the corresponding matrix questions.

Scale overview

To access the scale library, go to the Libraries → Scale library menu. Various icons allow to open these scales for viewing or editing as well as to copy or delete them.

Read rights for show_scala are necessary for accessing the scale library.

Creating a new scale in the scale library

Please proceed as follows:

• Click on the Create scale button.

• Enter the name plus a short description of the scale to be created, then click on Save.

• As with Paste from Word, enter all desired scale options into the “Scale options” field. Each row in the input field is interpreted as an answer option.

• Usually, the options are automatically numbered and encoded. If you want to specify your codes yourself, enter the desired value before each option, using a semicolon. Then, specify this separator in the “The separator for the code” field.

• Confirm by clicking on Save.

• In the next dialog, you can edit the new options or define graphical form elements.

From now on, you can use this scale when creating matrix questions.

Exporting a scale from a question into the scale library

As an alternative to creating a scale in the scale library, you can also export a scale from a question into the scale library.

• In the question view, open the “Scale options” section.

• Click on the Export scale button.

• A pop-up window will prompt you to enter the title under which the scale is to be stored in the scale library.

• After you have clicked OK to confirm, the scale will be stored. You will receive a message indicating that the operation was successful and can continue your work.

Inserting scales from the scale library into the questionnaire

All matrix questions containing a scale allow you to access the scale library:

• To do so, open the “Scale options” section in the question view.

• Click on the Import scale button.

• A pop-up window will open. In it, you can select scales from the scale library using a drop-down list.

• Confirm by clicking on Save.

• The desired scale will be inserted into your matrix question, and you can continue editing the characteristics as desired.

FAQ

What are the benefits of using the Scale library?

The Scale library allows you to create scales once and reuse them across multiple matrix questions, saving time and ensuring consistency in your surveys.

Can I edit a scale after importing it into a question?

Yes, after importing a scale into a matrix question, you can still edit and customize it to fit your specific needs.

Are there any permissions required to use the Scale library?

Yes, you need read rights for show_scala to access the Scale library.