Graphical Sequence Controllers for Dynamic Survey Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic surveys are more difficult to construct and test compared to static surveys, often requiring programming knowledge and can be challenging for designers to ensure the desired sequence of questions is achieved.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and system that uses graphical sequence controllers to allow designers to create and test dynamic surveys without programming knowledge, by displaying and receiving designations for subsequent questions based on previous responses, stored within an electronic survey framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic surveys are designed using traditional programming methods, then the survey can provide individualized user experience and meaningful responses, but the complexity of construction increases and requires programming knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary tool between the survey designer and the complex programming logic required for dynamic surveys. This GUI mediator allows designers to create dynamic question sequences through visual drag-and-drop operations rather than direct programming, thus achieving individualized user experiences without requiring programming knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical programming system with a graphical interface system. Instead of writing and executing code to control survey flow, designers use visual elements (graphics, drag-and-drop operations) to define question sequences and conditions, substituting the mechanical coding process with a more accessible graphical mechanism.
2Reliability
If dynamic surveys are designed with programming knowledge, then the desired sequence of questions can be implemented, but the difficulty of testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a testing mode within the graphical interface that provides immediate feedback on survey sequence logic. Designers can simulate user responses and visually verify whether the correct questions appear in the correct sequence, allowing them to detect and correct logic errors without needing to manually trace through complex programming code.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical interface creates a visual copy or representation of the survey logic that mirrors the actual execution flow. This visual model allows testers to see exactly what questions will be presented to users based on their responses, making it easier to detect sequence errors compared to testing traditional programmed surveys.
3Ease of manufacture
If static surveys are used, then the construction is simple and requires no programming knowledge, but the user experience becomes less individualized and meaningful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables survey designers to transform static surveys into dynamic ones using the graphical interface. Designers can define conditional question sequences where subsequent questions automatically adjust based on user responses, adding adaptability and individualization while maintaining the ease of construction provided by the visual programming environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for generating and implementing dynamic surveys, in which a subsequent query is presented based at least in part on a selected response option of a previous query. For example, a system may include presentation logic configured to display a plurality of queries, each query being associated with a plurality of response options. Sequence logic of the system may be configured to display a graphical sequence controller in association with each of the plurality of response options, and to receive a graphical manipulation of the graphical sequence controllers by which a sequence is designated for presenting a subsequent query based on a selected response option of a previous query. Thus, during implementation of the resulting dynamic survey, the subsequent query may be presented based on the selected response option.