Matrix grid
Matrix grid questions are advanced survey questions that show respondents multiple questions arranged in rows and columns. The advantage of this arrangement is that it allows respondents to review several items at once.
Matrix grids support 7 different question subtypes:
- Likert scale, similar to a normal Likert scale question
- Multiple choice, similar to a normal multiple choice question
- Ranking, similar to a normal ranking question
- Categorisation
- Constant sum, similar to a normal constant sum question
- Short text, similar to a normal short text input question
- Number, similar to a normal numeric input question
Respondent view
![Matrix grid respondent interface Matrix grid respondent interface](https://conjointly.com/img/aqt-respondent-221-matrix-grid-respondent-view-title.gif)
Matrix grid question outputs
The matrix grid question outputs differ slightly based on the question subtypes.
Distribution of responses (table)
For multiple choice, ranking, and categorisation question subtypes, the matrix grid questions produce a table showing the distribution of responses.
![Distribution of responses (table) Distribution of responses (table)](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-distribution-of-responses-table.png)
Distribution of responses (chart)
For Likert scale, constant sum, and number question subtypes, the matrix grid questions produce a table and a chart displaying the distribution of responses.
![Distribution of responses (chart) Distribution of responses (chart)](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-distribution-of-responses-chart.png)
Analysis of short text responses
For short text question subtype, the matrix grid produces the following outputs:
- Word clouds that show the most frequent words used in respondent comments. Click or to filter the responses for specific row or column.
- The frequency of responses for each row.
- The average length of responses (in characters) for each row and column.
![Analysis of short text responses Analysis of short text responses](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-analysis-text.gif)
Setting up a matrix grid question
Follow these steps to set up a matrix grid question.
1. Add question
Navigate to the Add questions tab and click on the button at the bottom of the page.
On the Add or import questions pop-out, select the Add a new question tab and click on the question card to add it to the experiment.
![Add matrix grid question to survey Add matrix grid question to survey](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-add-question.gif)
2. Edit question options
Once you add the question, you can adjust the following settings:
- Select the question subtypes.
- Insert the question text in the Question text field. You can also include formatting and images.
- Set the rows and columns based on the question subtype you choose.
- The order of columns and rows can be set to be fixed, random, or flip (top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top).
- You may also specify the number of responses required per column or per row.
![Matrix grid setup steps Matrix grid setup steps](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-setup-step.gif)
- For categorisation question subtype, you can check the box next to all options need to be categorised to ensure respondents must categorise all options before proceeding.
![All options need to be categorised for categorisation questions All options need to be categorised for categorisation questions](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-categorisation-all-options-categorised.png)
![Respondent must categorise all options to proceed Respondent must categorise all options to proceed](https://conjointly.com/img/matrix-grid-categorisation-respondent-must-categorise.png)
How to use matrix grid questions effectively
Matrix grid questions show much more information to a respondent at once than other available question types. Because of this, it is important to keep the questions clear and concise to avoid overwhelming respondents with information.
Specifically, it is important not to treat matrix grid questions as a catch-all for multiple questions. An example of an ineffective matrix grid question is as follows:
![Ineffective matrix grid Ineffective matrix grid](https://conjointly.com/img/ineffective-matrix-grid.png)
In comparison, the following is an example of an effective matrix grid question because the most effective presentation of the options naturally is a matrix grid format:
![Effective matrix grid Effective matrix grid](https://conjointly.com/img/decent-and-effective-matrix-grid.png)
If you have to use a matrix grid questions, avoid using an excessive number of rows and columns in matrix grid questions. This helps to both ensure high-quality responses by not overloading respondents with information, as well as provide a positive survey experience for respondents on smaller devices. Column labels should be easily readable and represent consistent units.
Alternatives to matrix grid questions
In general, unless presentation of the information naturally lends itself to a matrix grid format, replacing matrix grids with an alternative question type will result in more robust findings. The best alternative to matrix grid questions is nesting multiple questions within a monadic block. This allows you to easily ask multiple questions per stimulus, while not overloading the user with information.
Common questions to be nested within a monadic block are:
For more information regarding monadic blocks, check out our guide on monadic testing and how to use them.