This article describes how to use a built-in QScript that looks through a data file and identifies questions that contain straight-lining (also known as flat-lining), where a respondent chooses the same option for all items in a question.
Requirements
A data file loaded in Q
Method
To run the script, select Automate > Browse Online Library > Preliminary Project Setup > Identify Questions with Straight-Lining/Flat-Lining.
The Pick One - Multi questions in the project are examined and new questions are created which show the extent of straight-lining. It assumes there are no missing values (i.e., if a respondent has missing data, then they will not be classified as having flat-lined, even if they gave the same answers to all the questions that they did answer).
Three new questions are added to the project:
- Straight Lining by Question - Shows the proportion of straight-lining respondents in each question.
- Number of Questions with Straight Lining - Counts the number of questions that have been straight-lined by each respondent.
- Always Straight Lines - A filter to select those respondents who have straight-lined all considered questions.
Next
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How to Check for Errors in Data File Construction
How to Create New Variable(s) with Outliers Removed
How to Hide Uninteresting Data
How to Remove Truncated Text from Variable Labels
How to Reverse Scales in Questions
How to Suggest Better Question Names from Source Labels