Scalar fields

You can use scalar values to associate enumerated questions (questions with a fixed set of values) with a custom numeric scale.

Scalar fields allow you to turn qualitative responses, such as Net Promoter Score (NPS)℠1 categories (Promoter, Passive, Detractor) into quantitative values (1, 0, -1) for use in statistical analysis. When you create a new scalar field, each field value is automatically assigned a scalar value. The first authored value for the activity is assigned the value of 1 and subsequent values are incremented by 1 in the authored order. You can edit the default values as necessary for your analysis:

  • You can choose to include or omit any field value.
  • You can assign any integer between -9999 and 9999 as a scalar value.
  • You can assign the same scalar value to more than one scalar field.
  • Scalar fields can be used with custom fields. For example, a custom field could group Choice A and Choice B together, and Choice C and Choice D together. The scalar field could then map Choice A+B to 1 and Choice B+C to 2.

You can create scalar fields based on the following question types:

Surveys Power Surveys
  • Single Choice
  • Single Choice Grid
  • Rating
  • Net Promoter Score℠ (Category)
  • Rank Order
  • Single Choice
  • Single Choice Buttons
  • Regional Maps
  • Single Choice Card Sort
  • Scale Slider Grid
  • Single Choice Grid
  • Single Choice Visual Grid
  • Single Choice Magnetic Board
  • Rank Order Sort
Note: In Power Surveys, scalar values can be entered in Scalar Value or Precode fields, depending on the question type. Scalar fields replicate this feature in datasets, and should be used with both Surveys and Power Surveys.

You can add up to 800 scalar fields to a dataset.

Note: If a supported scalar field or profile variable does not have values defined in the dataset, it will not be included on the New Scalar Fields page and you cannot create a scalar field based on it.
1 Net Promoter, NPS, and the NPS-related emoticons are registered U.S. trademarks, and Net Promoter Score and Net Promoter System are service marks, of Bain & Company, Inc., NICE Systems, Inc. and Fred Reichheld.