When you choose a Matrix Single Choice Virtual Question (VQ), the output is comparable to a Matrix question. This lets you compare results across multiple questions—for example, comparing purchase intent for each concept in a concept test.

Learn more about Virtual Questions in the Lighthouse Academy!

In This Article

• Configuring Matrix VQs
• Matrix Single Choice VQ Output
• Optional Presets and Matrix VQs

Configuring Matrix VQs

Each row of a Matrix VQ is a sub-question (SQ1, SQ2, and so on) that points to a question from your survey. A Matrix VQ needs at least two sub-questions, and every sub-question must have the same number of answer options. If the counts don't match, you'll see the message Each sub-question must have the same number of answer options. With fewer than two sub-questions, no message appears—the run button simply stays disabled.

⚠️ Note: The system only checks that each sub-question has the same number of answer options. It does not compare answer labels, scale direction, or question type. Before you generate the visualization, confirm that every sub-question uses the same scale running in the same direction—otherwise the comparison will be misleading.

1. Click the first drop-down in SQ1 and select a question. The following question types are eligible:

   • Single choice
   • Matrix, Star rating, and Smiley rating
   • Progressive matrix (single-choice subtype)
   • Xpert Questions that use the cb-to-rb, mx, or unpipe-radio script
   • Previously created VQs, if that VQ is itself Single choice or Matrix single choice

   Multiple choice, open-end, and Slider questions are not offered, and a VQ can't select itself.

2. Type or paste a label for the sub-question in the Please type a label... field. Labels are capped at 120 characters.
3. Repeat for SQ2 and each additional sub-question you want to compare.
4. Manage your rows as needed:
   • Drag a row's handle to move it to another position.
   • Double-click a row's handle to duplicate that row.
   • Hover over a row and click the X that appears to delete it.
   • Click a row's Base chip to set a base for that sub-question, or use the row's image picker to add an image.
5. Click Generate visualization. While it runs, the button reads Generating visualization. When it finishes, the results appear as a Matrix question, with each sub-question shown as its own row.
6. If you make changes to the sub-questions, click Update visualization to refresh the results for that Virtual Question.

Matrix Single Choice VQ Output

A Matrix Single Choice VQ combines different questions from your survey and treats each one as a sub-question—as though you had asked them as one Matrix or Progressive Matrix question.

The default view, Stacked 100%, shows answer percentages stacked in color-coded columns, with expandable data for each sub-question displayed below. To switch views, click the view drop-down and choose one of the following:

Box Scores options

The Box Scores drop-down lists Top 1 Box, Top 2 Box, Top 3 Box, and T-Weighted twice: once counting down from the first answer option, and once counting up from the last. Each entry names the answer options it includes—for example, Top 1 Box (A1: Definitely would buy) and Top 1 Box (A5: Definitely would not buy). T-Weighted is a weighted top two: 100% of the first option it counts plus 50% of the second (for example, 100% of A1 + 50% of A2).

Which options appear depends on how many answer options your sub-questions have:

If your sub-questions have fewer than two answer options, Box Scores is removed from the view drop-down.

⚠️ Note: Don't assume A1 is always the top of the scale. For Star rating and Smiley rating questions, and for any question where the high end of the scale is set at a position other than A1, the order is reversed and the first Top 1 Box entry reads the last answer option. Always check the answer options named in each drop-down entry before choosing one.

Viewing sub-question detail

To see a graph of the answer distribution for a single sub-question, click anywhere on that sub-question's row (marked with a chevron at its right edge). Click the row again to collapse it. Alternatively, click Expand subquestions button to see all positions.

💡 Tip: Click the help bubble next to the view selection to see how the current view is calculated from the responses.

Optional Presets and Matrix VQs

Optional Presets build Single choice VQs, not Matrix VQs. If you select a preset while your VQ is set to Matrix single choice, the VQ type switches back to Single choice. To create a Matrix VQ, add each sub-question by hand as described in Configuring Matrix VQs.

When you use a preset on a Single choice VQ and the system detects a group of matching questions (for example, sub-questions from a Matrix, Star rating, Smiley rating, Progressive matrix, or HeatMap question, or a set of questions from a Smart Loop), additional drop-downs appear. 

Use them to pick the scale points for Top Box presets—listed as, for example, Top 1 Box (A1: …) and Top 2 Box (A1: …, A2: …)—and to choose from auto-detected Labels and, where the group includes images, Images.

Related Articles

• Virtual Questions Overview
• Virtual Questions: Single & Multiple Choice