{"id":439699,"date":"2022-09-02T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T16:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.questionpro.com\/blog\/?p=439699"},"modified":"2023-08-11T04:41:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T04:41:59","slug":"forced-choice-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.questionpro.com\/blog\/forced-choice-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Forced-Choice Question: What It Is + Guide with Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"

A forced-choice question forces survey participants to select an option from the given choices. Also known as forced choice scale question, it does not have options that let the respondents <\/span>skip the question<\/span><\/a> without submitting their concrete opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n

At times, the research study aims to derive material insights from the survey takers, and so they use these <\/span>survey question types<\/span><\/a> to share their positive or negative feedback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Forced-Choice Question?<\/h2>\n

A forced-choice question does not have options like “Can\u2019t say,” “Don\u2019t know,” “Neutral,” or “Maybe.” This question type compels respondents to select an option that reflects their experience or opinion. They cannot offer any neutral answers. Such star questions<\/a> help in getting solid insights and ease the decision-making process.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a <\/span>close-ended question<\/span><\/a> wherein respondents have to select one of the given options instead of an open-ended question type, which lets you input any text or number as the answer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What differentiates a forced choice question from other questions that are mandatory to answer, or the ones marked as required (*), is that with the former, you are made to select an attribute from the given scale. With mandatory questions, although you cannot skip the question, you can have neutral options or those that express the ambiguity of respondents.<\/span><\/p>\n

LEARN ABOUT:<\/strong> Open-Ended Questions<\/a><\/p>\n

5 Examples of Forced-Choice Question<\/h2>\n

Typically, the options of the forced choice questions use likert scale. However, the answers depend on the types of survey question. Consider a 6-point likert scale<\/a> with no \u201cin-between\u201d options, where the respondent is forced to choose one of the sides. Such rating scale is also known as ipsative scale.<\/span><\/p>\n

LEARN ABOUT:<\/em><\/strong> Graphic Rating Scale<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. Dichotomous question: These questions have only two options. Generally, they have yes\/no options as answers. One of the survey best-practices is to include options like \u2018Can\u2019t say\u2019, \u2018Don\u2019t know\u2019, \u2018NA\u2019 or \u2018Other\u2019. However, if you want to force your participants to pick between the options, do not include them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Learn<\/p>\n

    Watch webinar on the survey best-practices – The Ultimate Guide to Effective Online Surveys<\/span><\/p>\n


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