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Term logic tutorial / Selection logic tutorial

Overview

Another place logic is commonly used is in survey branching and skips. We have a variety of programming tags to help create any necessary flow and survey pathing.

Related reading and resources

The following articles can be used for reference with this training module:

Applying skip logic

Open the 'Tutorial - skip logic.docx' document (linked at bottom) and review the skip-related questionnaire instructions highlighted in green. We will add the code covered below to your FLast_r9_intro survey's existing content.

Questionnaire Content Discussion Details Coded SPL

[Skip A2 if option 2 (no) is selected at A1]

In this first skip instruction, anyChecked is used to see if 'Yes' is selected at A1; if it is, A2 is asked. If 'No' is selected, the showif condition returns 'False', and A2 will be skipped.

Tip! The implementation of logic doesn't always align perfectly with the instructions provided. Design the logic to provide the functionality requested, bearing in mind that the questionnaire instructions may not always be optimal. Flexibility and adaptability in the logic design are key to ensuring the survey functions as intended despite any discrepancies or ambiguities in the instructions. If you ever doubt your interpretation of the instructions, clarify with the client.

Checked functions are used to evaluate closed end data:

  • anyChecked($QX,1,2) returns 'True' if either '1' or '2', or both, are selected in QX.
  • noneChecked($QX,1,2) returns 'True' if neither '1' or '2' are selected in QX; if either option is selected, this returns 'False'.
  • allChecked($QX,1,2) returns 'True' only if both 1 and 2 are selected

Place this code on A2:

showif: anyChecked($QA1,1)

[Skip A2A if options 3 (green), 6 (red), 8 (yellow) are NOT selected at A2]

For A2A, the instruction requests to skip the question if specific options are not selected in A2. The showif on A2A will show the question if any of the specified options are picked.

Place this code on A2A:

showif: anyChecked($QA2,3,6,8)

[Skip A2D if only 1 option selected at A2]

For the skip at A2D, countChecked is used to ascertain how many colors are selected at A2.

The countChecked function is another common method used to count the options selected on a checkbox question. It is used along with numeric operators to establish what to do when certain counts are reached:

  • countChecked($QX) == 2 returns 'True' if exactly 2 options are selected in QX.
  • countChecked($QX) <= 2 returns 'True' if 2 or less options are selected in QX.

Place this code on A2D:

showif: countChecked($QA2)>1

[Skip A2F if option 99 (none) is selected at A2D AND option 99 (none) is selected at A2E]

Sometimes when creating skip logic, it's important to clarify whether a respondent selected (or did not select) a specific option at a question, regardless of whether they saw the question or not, or if it is only applicable when the respondent saw a question, and deliberately chose to select or not to select an option at a question. 

For example, the skip instruction for A2F could be interpreted as the client wanting the respondents to skip A2F if they did not select any colors at A2D and A2E. However, it is important to note that A2D might have been skipped.

After clarifying the intention with the client, let's assume we specifically need to skip the question if A2D and A2E were both seen and "None" was selected at each question. To accomplish this, we can use the skipif tag, the anyChecked function, and the AND operator. Both parts of the logical expression must be true for the respondent to see question A2F. 

Tip! The showif and skipif tags are essentially opposites. skipif may be applied to questions and tables to indicate when to skip (or hide) a question from the respondent.

Place this code on A2F:

skipif: anyChecked($QA2D,99) and anyChecked($QA2E,99)

[Ask follow up questions A3C-A3G if 1 or more entered at A3B]

When a set of consecutive questions has the same condition(s) for showing or hiding them, it is best to place the content in a group. To build a group, add the start group widget before the first question in the group, and assign an ID to the group. Then, include the condition tag with any logic that may be required.

After the last question, include the end group widget with the group's ID as a flag that the grouped content (and any conditions) are completed.

 Place this start group before A3C, and end group after A3G:

start group: A3CtoG
condition: $QA3B>0

#QA3C-QA3G here

end group: A3CtoG

[Skip B1D if None for all shapes at B1B]

List functions were developed to help check table logic. List functions iterate over a list in a row or column, check a condition, then return a value. There are several list functions available. Three of them are applicable to the skip instruction at B1D.

  1. The listCount function returns the count of the number of iterations which evaluate to "true." Here, we use the familiar anyChecked function. If any row from B1B has a value of 1 through 6 selected, it is considered "true." If the count of true statements is greater than 0, the condition is met, and table B1D will be shown.
  2. The listSum function calculates the sum of the referenced fields. When verifying if any value is not '0', it treats the result as "true." For example, if we need to display B1D for anyone with a value of '1' or higher in any row at B1B, this function works perfectly. Since "None" has a value of '0', as long as any row contains a value other than '0', this function evaluates to "true," and table B1D will be shown.
  3. The listWhich function returns the first iteration that evaluates to true. LikelistSum, if any row meets the specified criteria and is returned, the result is considered "true," leading to the display of B1D.

Place this code on B1D:

showif: listCount(SHAPES; anyChecked($QB1BR[id],1..6)) > 0

OR

showif: listSum(SHAPES; $QB1BR[id])

OR

showif: listWhich(SHAPES; anyChecked($QB1BR[id],1..6))

Practice what you've learned

Continue to work in your FLast_r9_intro survey (visit Training tutorials for set up steps) by integrating the new content from above.

Once you finish reviewing each survey question, add the new content to your survey area via the SPL editor. When the survey compiles successfully, run it in Testmode by clicking the Test 2 button from the compilation screen or open the Test Survey applet from the left navigation menu. Practice testing the skip patterns in your survey by making the necessary selections to see a subsequent question. Then, use the back arrow in the Testmode toolbar to go back and change your answer, and intentionally skip the question.

Reminder, once you integrate all the new content from this tutorial and test it, publish your survey before moving on to the next tutorial.

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