Multi-coded questions are variables that require one or more answers to be chosen from the list of response items. In the question list, multi-coded questions are indicated by the icon .

The following properties are available for multi-coded variables:

• Ordered responses: If this option is selected, the question will, during data-entry, store as extra information the order in which the respondent selected his/her answers. Note that you can set this option for multiple questions at once by selecting them in the questionnaire list (in the left-hand pane), then right-clicking and selecting set questions, then ordered responses in the context menu.

• Max number of responses: Defines the maximum number of the variable's items which can be selected as responses during data-entry. By default, this property is set to the value of the global option default maximum number of responses. Note: the upper limit is 240, which is the maximum possible number of responses that can be added to a multi-coded question.

• Min number of responses: Defines the minimum number of the variable's items which can be selected as responses during data-entry. By default, this property is set to 0.

The following properties are available to the response items:

• Exclusive: ensures that a respondent cannot simultaneously select this item and any of the variable’s other item(s). In other words, a respondent can only select this item and no other.

• Rotation order: enables you to assign a specific order to a variable’s items for which a Rotation of items has been activated. The following properties are available:

  • Authorised: authorizes this item to be rotated.

  • Fixed: ensures that this item will never be rotated.

  • Always follow previous: ensures that this item follows right after its preceding item, regardless of the position the latter can be assigned as a result of a rotation.

• Entry code: use this option to specify custom entry codes for this variable’s items. During data-entry, the Interviewer will therefore be able to select answer(s) from the list of items by typing the specified Entry codes. Note: You must specify entry codes to all the items of a variable. This option is restricted to questionnaires used in askiavoice fieldwork. From version 5.1.92, entry code widths no longer have to be the same (i.e. it is now possible to have varying entry code widths: e.g. you can now have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, as an alternative to 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10). Note: it is possible to paste in entry codes from the clipboard.

• Base type: determines how the modality interacts with the base when analyzed. For normal interaction, set it to default. To treat it as a non response, set it to don't know. To treat it as not asked, select not asked. By changing this setting, you can affect the base for the question if the universe changes (for example if the universe is set to answer base). Note: More than one modality in a question can be set to don't know or not asked.

• Scenario: This option enables you to assign the response to one or all of the *.QES file’s scenarios; the response will appear only in the selected scenario/s. By default, a response is assigned to all scenarios.

• Resource: allows you to associate a multimedia resource (which has been added to the project in screen mode) with the response. Simply select the resource you wish to use from the list. You can select none to de-select a resource (and thus have no resource associated with the response). There is a list of keywords that can be used to refer to XML content from a question or loop. By referring to a Flash file on  a response, this means that the appropriate content will be displayed even if there is rotation on the question, or if some responses are not displayed. The keywords are as follows:

  • ??imagesAsXML??: generate XML images from the question

  • ??LabelsAsXML??: to generate XML labels from the question

  • ??LoopImagesAsXML??: generate the XML images from the loop

  • ??LoopLabelsAsXML??: generate the XML labels from the loop