Are you looking to maximise your response rate and quality of your customer feedback data? Then it’s important to choose and create the right survey question types for your business needs.
If your survey has too many similar sounding questions, your respondents may struggle with survey fatigue. This can lead to boredom, stopping in the middle of a survey, and poor-quality data.
To improve engagement in your survey and quickly collect as much top-level data as you can to guide your ongoing decision-making, matrix-style questions are a great option for getting fast responses.
What Are Matrix Survey Questions?
Matrix survey questions are pretty easy to spot. They’re a set of multiple-choice questions displayed in a grid with rows and columns. The idea is to have respondents evaluate different items (rows) using the same set of answer choices (columns).
Typically, the answer choices are presented as a scale, such as a rating from 1 to 5 or options ranging from “very dissatisfied” to “very satisfied.” This format makes it simple for respondents to quickly provide their answers to a series of related questions.
Matrix questions belong to the family of closed-ended questions, meaning they offer predefined answers to choose from. This structure helps streamline the survey process by grouping similar questions together, which can reduce survey length and boost response rates.
They are particularly effective in customer satisfaction surveys, employee feedback surveys, and academic research. By organising related sub-questions in a grid, matrix questions make it easier to gather detailed feedback on a specific topic in a structured and efficient way.
Best practice when using matrix questions
Less is more
When it comes to matrix questions, less is often more. If you overload respondents with too many answer options, they might just bounce. It’s best to keep it simple, aiming for fewer than 5 predefined answer sets for optimal completion rates and high-quality data. And try to stick to just one matrix per survey to avoid overwhelming your participants.
Simplicity is the key
Simplicity is key when it comes to instructions. Complicating things will only lead to lower completion rates. Stick to straightforward prompts like “rate your experience on a scale from 1-5,” with clear descriptors for each end of the scale.
Group similar concepts together
And keep your survey focused. Mixing different topics or jumping around between categories can confuse respondents and decrease engagement. Stick to one theme per matrix to ensure a smooth and seamless survey-taking experience.
Avoid very long questions
Short and sweet is the way to go with matrix questions. Since you’re dealing with a table grid, keeping your questions concise is key. Long-winded questions might make the survey feel like a drag for respondents. So, aim for brevity to keep their experience smooth and enjoyable.
Pros and cons of matrix questions
Like any survey question, matrix questions come with their own set of pros and cons. It’s important to familiarise yourself with these before diving into your survey. This way, you can maximise their benefits and minimise any potential drawbacks they may pose.
Some advantages of using matrix questions
Space-saving and survey shortening: Matrix questions cleverly condense multiple inquiries into a single table, creating the illusion of a shorter survey. This can significantly reduce dropout rates among participants.
Ease of understanding and answering: Thanks to their grid format and unified answering criteria, matrix questions are a breeze for respondents to comprehend and swiftly respond to.
Simple analysis: With predefined answer sets, matrix questions generate clear and easily interpretable data, facilitating streamlined analysis and decision-making processes.
Limitations of Matrix Questions
Vulnerability to straight-lining: While providing consistent answer options across rows aids respondents, it can also invite straight-lining—repeatedly selecting the same response without considering each item individually. This behaviour can compromise the reliability and validity of survey results.
Potential frustration for respondents: Incorrectly configuring matrix questions can lead to confusion and disinterest among respondents. Excessive rows or columns may overwhelm participants, causing them to rush through the survey without due care. It’s crucial to optimise matrix questions for all devices, especially smartphones, to prevent user confusion and frustration.
Are you ready to create your first survey with TellUsFirst?
Ready to step into the world of surveys? With TellUsFirst, you’re in for a treat! It’s a feedback software platform packed with awesome features like various question types and robust analysis tools for your survey results. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, TellUsFirst has everything you need to create engaging surveys and extract valuable insights. Plus, you can whip up all sorts of questions, including matrix questions and more. So, are you ready to dive in and create your first survey adventure? Let’s get started!
