Survey Design

[DeborahP]

Option Box - Need all that apply

I have a survey that I am creating a database to capture the results. On my survey is a option box that ask "How do you hear about the program" - Check all that apply.

I created an option box however it only allows one bullet. How can I get this to work on my survey?

Thanks,
Deborah

 

[Fizzio]

There are a few ways that you can do this. In this thread
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=78230
Cable has posted one example Db that works well and will achieve what you are trying to do.
There are other options (eg multi select listbox) that can do a similar task. Both solutions need some form of coding to work though.


Make sure that you delete the other 2 duplicate posts so that people can follow one thread with the same problem

 

[Pat Hartman]

Since you have a 1-many relationship between questions and answers, the answers should be stored in a separate table. Storing multiple values in a single field violates first normal form and none of the form controls will do this for you. You would need to use unbound controls and do it yourself. However, if you do do it, you will have a hell of a time tring to analyze the results so take the "correct" approach from the start, add a new table. Use a subform to collect the results. I understand that visually this may not be what you want. You can de-normalize the selection by using checkboxes, but do store them in a properly normalized structure.

 

[Malcy]

Hi Deborah
That is how option boxes work.
Why not try using check boxes instead, then you can tick all that apply when needed.
HTH
Good luck

 

[DeborahP]

survey design - please help

I posted a thread about check boxes and really did not get any advice that I wanted to hear. It was all good advice and it got my mind thinking about the design of my survey.

I have a survey that has 3 sections that I want to extract and analyze data from the sections. I have demographic information, pre-health and post-health information. I have all the information in one table (this is where I think the problem is going to take place).

On 1 part of the survey, it asked to check all that apply. I need to find out the biggest marketing tool and in what areas of town that tool is used.

Can someone help guide me in the right direction? Is there a sample survey out there that I can look to get some ideas?

Thanks,
Deborah

 

[Pat Hartman]

You posted three questions on this topic yesterday. Each one got a different answer from a different person, including me.

If you don't understand an answer or it won't work for some reason, continue the thread until you get an answer.

What did you do about the normalization problem that I pointed out?

 

[Mile-O]

You posted three questions on this topic yesterday.

These are now merged.

 

[Mile-O]

I posted a thread about check boxes and really did not get any advice that I wanted to hear.

I struggle to see what was wrong with Pat's post. I think that, rather than not getting the advice you wanted to hear, you don't actually know what the advice is you needed to hear.

 

[Pauldohert]

I posted a thread about check boxes and really did not get any advice that I wanted to hear. It was all good advice and it got my mind thinking about the design of my survey.

I don't think Deborah sees anything wrong with Pats post either - the second sentence tells me she has taken it on board - I think she was just hoping for a simpler (but still well designed) answer??

 

[DeborahP]

I am trying to figure out this process of normalization and how to get all the tables to work together. I want to use an autonumber to keep track of entry for the participant (demographic information). I am not sure how to link it to the other tables. I will be using autonumbers for them as well for the pre and post health assessment.

I guess the advice I wanted to hear was something simple so I could continue with what I have. What I have is one table with everything in it.

I am asking for help - maybe I am not doing it the correct way.

Deborah

 

[Pat Hartman]

Simple can be deceptive. What looks simple is a single table with a single field with multiple values. However, since relational databases don't directly support that construct as it violates first normal form (every field must be atomic), it requires VBA coding in an unbound control to make it happen. Once you have gone through the trouble to make it happen, you then run into the trouble of trying to work with it where you now have to take the multi-valued field apart (again with VBA) to do anything with it.

The two table solution which properly stores the 1-many relationship, looks more complex but in reality is handled without any coding at all if you can live with showing the many-side data as a subform. If you want to show the many-side data "flattened" as checkboxes, you're back into the VBA business but here the problem is limited to the one form where you display and update the data. Any analysis can still be done with queries.

Another option is to store some number of individual fields that are populated from checkboxes. This is a compromise that caters to the data entry/display at the expense of the analysis.

And a final option is to promote the choices so that rather than grouping them in a single question, each becomes its own y/n choice. If you can live with this, this is actually the simplest solution.

The problem is that without significantly more knowledge regarding your application, it is hard to say which solution will be most appropriate.