A closed question presents a defined list of response items (also known as answers or modalities) to the respondent, such as a brand list. Depending on how the question is defined, the respondent may select one or more of these response items. In the question list, closed questions are indicated by the icons ,  and .

When they are first created, closed questions are of the single coded question () type by default. However, this can easily be changed to the multi coded (), or closed with scaled responses () question types. All three are variants of the closed question type. To change the question type to multi coded, select the multi-coded option. To change the type to closed with scaled responses, select the scaled responses option.

The following properties are available for closed questions:

• Allow 'Don't Know': ensures that the respondent is allowed to not give an answer to this variable, that is to say the respondent can code 'Don’t Know' (DK). If un-ticked, the respondent will not be able to continue the questionnaire, he will remain blocked until an answer concerning this variable is given. Note that you can set this option for multiple questions at once by selecting the questions in the questionnaire list (in the left-hand pane), then right-clicking and selecting set questions, then allow don't know in the context menu.

• Visible during data-entry: ensures that the respondent will see the variable, that is, a screen will be generated for this variable. Note that you can set this option for multiple questions at once by selecting the questions in the questionnaire list (in the left-hand pane), then right-clicking and selecting set questions, then visible in the context menu.

• Available for quotas: ensures that the variable will be available for quotas, that is, you will be able to set up quotas based on this variable from AskiaField as well as virtual askiafield.

• Visible in Analyse: ensures that the variable and its sub-variables will be visible in both AskiaAnalyse and AskiaVista. If un-ticked, the variable and its sub-variables will not appear in askiaanalyse and in askiavista. Note: you can change this property even after a questionnaire's fieldwork is completed. Note that you can set this option for multiple questions at once by selecting the questions in the questionnaire list (in the left-hand pane), then right-clicking and selecting set questions, then visible in analyse in the context menu.

• Anonymise the data: If you select this option, then sensitive survey data can be hidden in AskiaField Supervisor. See the topic Data Anonymisation (in the AskiaField Assistant) for details.

• Scaled responses: Scaled response items are single-coded or multi-coded closed questions in which specific weights are applied to each of the response items, thus enabling the question to be analysed both as a nominal and a numeric variable. See scaled response items for details.

• Semi-open responses: enables you to add a system response item called "Other (please specify)". During data-entry, when a respondent selects this item he/she will be prompted to specify his answer in plain text, as if an open question. For more information, see topic semi-open questions.

• Semi-open mandatory: ensures that during data-entry, when a respondent selects the "Other (please specify)" item, he/she will be forced to specify an answer. The respondent will not be able to continue the questionnaire, and will remain blocked until an "Other" answer is given.

• Multi coded: allows more than one response to be selected in this question. See multi coded for further details.

• Link: enables you to include the response list from another variable in this variable. This feature allows you to save time defining your questions, reduces the likelihood of making errors when creating a questionnaire, and also helps reduce the size of the *.QES file. For details, see linked response items.

• Rotation: allows you to vary the order in which the response items are presented (rotated or randomised). For details, see rotation of items.

• Import: allows you to import sample list information or other information from a database or panel. See importation for details.

Hierarchical Response Filters

It is possible to create a hierarchical filter for responses (i.e. responses can be grouped). To do so, in a closed question, enter the response groups in the categories, separated by the character. For example:

• RenaultAny Renault car

• RenaultVanDieselCamion 1D

• RenaultVanDieselCamion 2D

• RenaultVanEssenceCamion 1E

• RenaultVanEssenceCamion 2E

• RenaultVoitureVoiture1

• CitroenTransporterTrans 1

• CitroenTransporterTrans 2

It is then necessary to set up the question's screen accordingly. In screen mode, apply the layout list box to your responses (in the layout menu, click styles, then list box), and then right-click the list box and select insert a hierarchical filter, then combo-box or listbox.

You can also add an edit modality filter, which is a text box that allows the agent or respondent to perform a text search on the response captions, and which filters the list of responses accordingly.

For more information, see inserting a hierarchical filter and inserting a modality filter.