Using JavaScript, randomize and display one choice from multiple subsets in Qualtrics rank order questions.

Enhancing Qualtrics Rank Order with JavaScript Randomization

When using Qualtrics, altering question forms can improve survey experiences. A typical difficulty occurs when users want to randomize and display specific alternatives in a Rank Order query while retaining drag-and-drop capabilities. To meet design requirements and improve user engagement, JavaScript is frequently used during this customisation.

In this scenario, you are provided several subsets of possibilities, and your duty is to display only one random choice from each. The shown options must be shuffled for unpredictability, while the non-selected options stay concealed. Handling these requirements might be challenging, especially when using the drag-and-drop tool in Rank Order questions.

The most common issue that Qualtrics developers experience is preserving drag-and-drop functionality after integrating custom JavaScript logic. Without correct reinitialization, the Rank Order behavior can break, hurting the overall user experience and response accuracy. This necessitates a deeper understanding of Qualtrics' API and specific scripting techniques.

In the following section, we'll look at a detailed JavaScript method for randomly selecting and displaying one option from numerous categories. We will also maintain drag-and-drop capabilities, addressing the limits sometimes faced with custom script integration in Qualtrics.

Understanding the JavaScript Solution for Randomizing and Displaying Options in Qualtrics

In this technique, we want to solve a hard problem in Qualtrics surveys where users must present a random selection from specified categories while retaining the Rank Order question's drag-and-drop capabilities. The script starts by defining three sets of choices, each with four alternatives (A1 to A4, B1 to B4, and C1 to C4). The script uses JavaScript functions like Math.random() and Math.floor() to randomly select one option from each group. This ensures that the user sees only one option from each category, while the remaining options are hidden.

After selecting a choice from each category, the script merges them into a single array, which is then shuffled to randomize the order in which the options are displayed. This randomization procedure employs the Fisher-Yates algorithm, which is a fast approach for shuffling arrays. After randomizing the array, the script generates HTML content that displays the selected options in an unordered list. This HTML is injected into the Qualtrics survey interface to ensure that the user only sees randomly picked options in a shuffled order.

The second key part of the solution is ensuring that the Rank Order drag-and-drop capability remains unchanged after the randomization procedure. The drag-and-drop tool is an important aspect of the Rank Order question, as it allows users to effortlessly rearrange the selections based on their preferences. However, explicitly modifying the DOM to add new HTML may disrupt its capability. To fix this, the script uses Qualtrics' SurveyEngine.addOnload() function to reinitialize the drag-and-drop behavior when the choices are dynamically added.

To reinitialize the survey's question instance, use Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.Question.getInstance().reinitialize(), a method in the Qualtrics API that refreshes it with the latest options. This technique assures that the survey performs as predicted, even after dynamic content alteration. The use of modular, well-commented code makes this solution extremely reusable for comparable Qualtrics survey adaptations, which improves both functionality and user experience.

Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnload(function() {
  // Define the choices for each category
  var groupAChoices = ["A1", "A2", "A3", "A4"];
  var groupBChoices = ["B1", "B2", "B3", "B4"];
  var groupCChoices = ["C1", "C2", "C3", "C4"];

  // Randomly pick one choice from each group
  var groupAPick = groupAChoices[Math.floor(Math.random() * groupAChoices.length)];
  var groupBPick = groupBChoices[Math.floor(Math.random() * groupBChoices.length)];
  var groupCPick = groupCChoices[Math.floor(Math.random() * groupCChoices.length)];

  // Combine selected choices and shuffle them
  var selectedChoices = [groupAPick, groupBPick, groupCPick];
  for (let i = selectedChoices.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
    let j = Math.floor(Math.random() * (i + 1));
    [selectedChoices[i], selectedChoices[j]] = [selectedChoices[j], selectedChoices[i]];
  }

  // Display the selected and shuffled choices
  this.getChoiceContainer().innerHTML = "</ul>" + selectedChoices.map(choice => "<li>" + choice + "</li>").join('') + "</ul>";

  // Reinitialize Rank Order question functionality after choices are displayed
  Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnload(function() {
    Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.Question.getInstance().reinitialize();
  });
});

Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.addOnload(function() {
  // Import jQuery for easy DOM manipulation
  var $ = jQuery;

  // Define the categories
  var groupAChoices = ["A1", "A2", "A3", "A4"];
  var groupBChoices = ["B1", "B2", "B3", "B4"];
  var groupCChoices = ["C1", "C2", "C3", "C4"];

  // Randomize one from each category
  var groupAPick = groupAChoices[Math.floor(Math.random() * groupAChoices.length)];
  var groupBPick = groupBChoices[Math.floor(Math.random() * groupBChoices.length)];
  var groupCPick = groupCChoices[Math.floor(Math.random() * groupCChoices.length)];

  var selectedChoices = [groupAPick, groupBPick, groupCPick];
  selectedChoices.sort(() => 0.5 - Math.random());

  // Inject HTML for selected choices
  var $container = $("ul.Choices");
  $container.html("");
  selectedChoices.forEach(choice => {
    $container.append("<li>" + choice + "</li>");
  });

  // Reinitialize the Rank Order drag-and-drop functionality
  Qualtrics.SurveyEngine.Question.getInstance().reinitialize();
});

Optimizing Qualtrics Rank Order Functionality with JavaScript

One of the issues developers encounter when working with Qualtrics surveys is ensuring that custom functionality is seamlessly integrated while keeping the platform's basic features. When incorporating JavaScript, the Rank Order question type becomes very delicate. Randomizing options while retaining drag-and-drop functionality might cause issues if not handled correctly. Understanding Qualtrics' JavaScript API and functions like reinitialization is vital for successfully merging dynamic content and smooth functionality.

Another aspect that is sometimes forgotten is code optimization for performance. When dynamically selecting and displaying options, it is critical to consider both total load time and interaction speed. Using effective randomization methods, such as the Fisher-Yates shuffle, guarantees that your survey remains responsive, even when complicated reasoning is incorporated. A smooth user experience requires little DOM manipulation and re-rendering.

In addition to efficiency, guaranteeing code modularity and reusability is critical. Developers can eliminate redundancy and enhance maintainability by designing routines that are easily adaptable to diverse sets of queries or options. Breaking down the code into smaller, well-commented components facilitates troubleshooting and customisation across several Qualtrics surveys. Furthermore, this technique simplifies testing and deployment in many contexts, ensuring functionality across a broad range of use cases.