Branching Logic in Surveys

Why Use Branching Logic?

Branching logic can be used for a variety of purposes. Here are some of the most common reasons surveyors use this technique:

To save time:

Branching logic can help you avoid asking irrelevant questions. For example, if a respondent says they didn't purchase anything from your store, there's no need to ask them about their experience with the product.

To improve responses:

Branching logic can also help you get more detailed feedback by asking follow-up questions. For example, if a respondent gives a low rating for customer service, you could ask them why they were dissatisfied.

To increase engagement:

Finally, branching logic can help keep respondents engaged in your survey by making it more interactive. By tailoring your questions based on previous answers, you can create a more personalized experience that keeps respondents interested in your survey.

How to Use Branching Logic

Now that you know what branching logic is and why you might use it, let's look at how to implement it in your surveys.

There are two main ways to use branching logic in surveys: question types and piping.

Question Types:

Branching logic can be built into certain question types, like multiple choice or matrix questions. For example, you could create a multiple-choice question with the following options: "Very Satisfied," "Satisfied," "Neutral," "Dissatisfied," and "Very Dissatisfied." If the respondent selects "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied," they would then see one follow-up question. But if they select any of the other options, they would see a different follow-up question.

Piping:

Piping is a way to insert respondents' answers into your questions. For example, let's say you ask respondents to rate their satisfaction on a scale of 1-5. You could then use piping to insert their answer into the question, like this: "Why were you dissatisfied with your experience? (They answered: 3)."

This can be a great way to personalize your survey and get more detailed feedback.

If you're not sure whether branching logic is right for your survey, try testing it out with a small group of respondents first. This will help you see how well it works and adjust as needed.

Branching logic can be a great way to get more insights from your surveys. But it's not always the best option. Use it when you want to save time, improve responses, or increase engagement. Otherwise, you might want to try a different approach.