Text Answers

Text answers are used when a response to a question is alphanumeric i.e. a free text space. Most text responses are not specifically labelled. There are three non-specific answers which are used in almost all cases: 'Generic text', 'Other' and 'Long text'.

Specifically labelled text answers are created when a question defines a maximum length for an alphanumeric response. Numeric responses that are not sufficiently defined to allow a numeric answer are also entered as text answers.

Non-specific text answers

Generic text

This is the most common text answer. It is used for alphanumeric answers where the space available for the question response is less than three full lines (or 255 characters) in length (see Example 1).

Example 1

Questionnaire: BCS Educational (Teacher’s) Questionnaire

Questionnaire layout:

Open

Generic text is used when a telephone number answer is required, but the length of the number if not specified (see Example 2). For telephone numbers where the length is specified, a specifically labelled answer is used (see here for more information). 

Example 2

Questionnaire: USoc Wave 2

Questionnaire layout:

Open

Archivist view (us2):

Open

Long text

Long text is used for alphanumeric answers where the space available for the question response is more than three full lines (or 255 characters) in length, e.g. for longer comments or explanations (see Example 3).

Example 3 

Questionnaire: BCS Parental Interview Form

Questionnaire layout:

Open

Note: Questions that are phrased ‘Space for any additional comments you would like to make’ or similar wording are entered with a ‘Long text’ answer, regardless of how much space in the questionnaire is given for the response.

Other

‘Other’ is used for text answers where respondents are asked to add alphanumeric responses that are not already included in the code list. In paper questionnaires, an ‘Other’ text answer is used only if the question contains a designated space for writing in a free text response. This is the case even if the ‘Other' response wording contains ‘please describe’, ‘please tick and describe’, etc. In CAPI questionnaires, 'Other’ text answers can be added if the questionnaire indicates the respondent should provide a written answer, regardless of whether there is a line or space.

Typical phrasing in questionnaires where an ‘Other’ text answer is entered include:

• Other please describe ………………………….

• Other please tick and describe ……………………………

• Other namely ………………………….

• Other [item] …………………………

• Other [item] please describe ……………………………

• Other [item] please tick and describe …………………………………

• Other (What? …………………………….)

• Other [item] What? …………………………….

• Something else ……………………………………

• Someone else ………………………………………..

• Somewhere else ……………………………….

• Elsewhere ……………………

• Anything else please tick and describe ………………..

Typical phrasing in CAPI questionnaires where an 'Other' text answer is entered include:

• Other period (PLEASE WRITE IN)

• Any other ethnic group (PLEASE SPECIFY)

• Other (Please give details)

Multiple Generic or Other text answers

A question can have more than one text response of the same type. However, a particular text answer can be entered only once as a response to a question. Additional text answers for the same question are created by adding a number to the basic text answer label. See examples.

For example, a question requiring four generic text answers would have the following response domains: