Multiple Answer (MA)
How to use multiple-answer questions — max/min selection rules, exclusive options, randomization, and example designs.
Multiple Answer (MA) lets a respondent select multiple options from a predefined list.
When to use it
- Brands or services the respondent has heard of
- Categories of interest (multi-select)
- Purchase history
- Features currently used
Display
Options are displayed as checkboxes. You can also attach images to switch to the image selection variant IMG_SEL(MA).
Available settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Option text | Label shown for each option |
| Maximum selections | e.g. "Pick up to 3" |
| Minimum selections | e.g. "Pick at least 2" |
| Exclusive options | e.g. "None of the above" automatically unchecks the rest |
| Randomization | Randomize the display order (with pinning) |
| Image attachment | Switches to IMG_SEL(MA) |
| Required | Require at least one selection |
Example
Q. Which of the following beverage brands are you aware of? (Select all that apply.)
- Coca-Cola
- Pepsi
- Kirin
- Suntory
- Asahi
- Other (free text)
- None of the above (exclusive)
"None of the above" is marked as exclusive here, so checking it unchecks every other option automatically.
Exclusive options in practice
- Use for "None", "Don't know", "Other"
- Improves data quality by preventing contradictions like "I know Coca-Cola and also none of the above"
Min / max selection patterns
- "Pick up to 3" → top-of-mind awareness
- "Pick at least 3" → broad awareness checks
Randomization with pinning
Randomize the order to reduce primacy/recency bias. Pin entries like "Other" or "None of the above" to the bottom when you want them to always appear last.