What is a grid question?
A matrix question is a group of multiple-choice questions displayed in a grid of rows and columns. The rows present the questions and the columns offer a set of pre-defined answer choices that apply to each question in the row. Typically, the response options are presented as a scale (single choice, radio buttons), but can also be presented as multi-select options (checkboxes).
example multi-select matrix question:
When to use Matrix Questions
Matrix questions are best utilized as an efficient way to ask several questions about a similar concept (also known as a survey dimension) when the response options are identical for each question.
Advantages of matrix questions
While there are many advantages to matrix questions such as:
- Less respondent burden: Respondents can more swiftly select from a list of pre-existing response options. This reduces survey response time considerably for a battery of similar questions.
- Takes up less ‘real estate’ in a survey: Since the questions and the answers are next to each other in matrix format, they take very little space. Matrix questions can cover a lot of metrics and while reducing survey fatigue (improving response rate).