The rank order question provides more powerful data than a simple multiple choice question for selecting nominal or categorical items. Ordinal scales apply order to the data. Unlike rank order data, most multiple choice scales do not permit us to say that one item is greater than another.

The rank order question provides direction and relative position, but not absolute difference. That is, rank order data indicates order, but does not tell us how much one item is preferred over another. The rank order question is a powerful tool because respondents often misuse traditional rating scales, indicating ties and evaluating all choices within a narrow 1 or 2 point range.

Rank order data uses an answer format that requires the respondent to assign a rank position for the first, second… up to the nth item to be ordered. This format of assigning position numbers is very versatile. Respondents may be asked to rank a specified subset from the list (such as their first, second, and third choices from a list), or to rank all items in the list.

Typical questions might include identifying preference rankings, attribute association strength, first to last, oldest to youngest, or relative position (most, next most, and so forth, until either a set number of items is ordered or all items may be ordered).

There are several ways to format the rank order question type within Qualtrics.  The most interactive way is to use the Drag and Drop option. This option allows respondents to drag and drop the answer choices into their preferred order.  It is a way to make your survey a little more interesting for respondents while still collecting the data that you need.