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    Matrix Question

    A matrix question (or grid question) displays multiple sub-questions sharing the same response scale in a table, letting respondents rate many items efficiently.

    Matrix questions compress what would otherwise be 5-15 separate Likert questions into a single screen, which is efficient but introduces real risks: straight-lining (respondents picking the same column for every row to save effort), mobile usability collapse (most platforms render matrices as stacked Likert on small screens), and fatigue. Best practice: limit matrices to 5-7 rows, randomize row order, monitor straight-line rate (>15% is a warning, >25% requires data cleaning), and prefer separate questions for the most important items.

    Example

    Rate satisfaction with each of these 6 features on a 1-5 scale (Onboarding, AI assistant, Templates, Analytics, Integrations, Support). Straight-line detection finds 19% of respondents picked '4' for every row — these are flagged for QA review.

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    Related terms

    Likert Scale

    A Likert scale is a survey rating scale with ordered response options (typically 5 or 7 points) used to measure attitudes, agreement, or frequency.

    Ranking Question

    A ranking question asks respondents to order a set of items by preference, importance, or priority, producing ordinal data on relative preference.

    Semantic Differential Scale

    A semantic differential scale presents two opposing adjectives at the ends of a 5- or 7-point scale and asks respondents to mark their position between them.

    Closed-Ended Question

    A closed-ended question presents respondents with a fixed set of answer choices to select from.

    Response Bias

    Response bias is any systematic tendency of respondents to answer questions inaccurately, either intentionally or unconsciously.

    Open-Ended Question

    An open-ended question allows respondents to answer in their own words with free-text input rather than choosing from pre-defined options.