Rank Order

The RankOrder is used to select one of multiple choices as an answer to a question. Answers are user-defined and the corresponding labels shown to the subject can be set.

Here is an example of a rank order component with four labels to rank:

Here is a list of parameters available for a rankorder component:

Parameter Value Description R/O

class RankOrder Java class name alias a rankorder component. Req.

question text The question shown to subject. Req.

questionfont font name The font used for question text. Opt.

labels list of labels The list of labels that are ranked. Req.

labelsfont font name The font used for labels and their popup-menus Opt.

allowTies boolean Whether to allow/disallow ties in ranking. Default is to allow ties (true). Opt.

allowIncompleteRanking boolean Whether to allow/disallow incomplete ranking (not all labels have been ranked) as a valid answer. Default is incomplete ranking is allowed (true). Opt.

Parameter	Value	Description	R/O
class	RankOrder	Java class name alias a rankorder component.	Req.
question	text	The question shown to subject.	Req.
questionfont	font name	The font used for question text.	Opt.
labels	list of labels	The list of labels that are ranked.	Req.
labelsfont	font name	The font used for labels and their popup-menus	Opt.
allowTies	boolean	Whether to allow/disallow ties in ranking. Default is to allow ties (true).	Opt.
allowIncompleteRanking	boolean	Whether to allow/disallow incomplete ranking (not all labels have been ranked) as a valid answer. Default is incomplete ranking is allowed (true).	Opt.

Question

The question parameter is used to set the question that is shown to the subject. Example:

   # Set question text
   q5.question=Rank according clarity

Labels that are ranked

The labels parameter contains a list of labels that are ranked. The list is comma-separated lists of strings. Example:

   # Set labels to rank.
   q5.labels=A,B,C,D

A pop-up menu is created for each label. The pop-up menu is used to select the ranking to that label. There are as many choices as there are labels. For example, if four labels 'A,B,C,D' are used, the pop-up menu has choices 1., 2., 3., and 4. and also an empty choice (rank not given yet or left empty).

Ties

By default the rank order allows ties (same rank given for multiple labels). You can turn this off by setting the allowTies parameter to false. Example:

   # disallow ties
   q5.allowTies=false

If ties have been disabled, when a illegal ranking is choosed to a label (there is already a label with that ranking), the pop-up reverts to its previous ranking.

Incomplete ranking

By default the rank order components sends an answer whenever a ranking choice is made for any label (unless possibly a tie is selected when ties has been disabled). The answers are generally incomplete until a rank has been given for all labels. To send an answer only when all labels have been ranked, set the allowIncompleteRanking to false. For example:

   # send answer only when all labels have been given a rank
   q5.allowIncompleteRanking=false

If the ranking is changed after a complete answer has been sent, the answer may become incomplete. In that case the component sends a null answer which removes the previous answer and leaves that component in an unanswered state (may disable DONE-button in the subject window because all questions haven't been answered).

Question font

The font used to display the text of question can be set with the questionfont parameter. It takes a valid Java font specification as a value. For example:

   # The font of the question
   q5.questionfont=Serif-italic-24

You can use the FontTester tool help you select the fonts you want. See also the API of the Java's Font class.

Labels font

The font used in the labels and pop-up menus used to rank labels is set with the labelsfont parameter. It takes a valid Java font specification as a value. For example:

   # Set font for labels and pop-up menus
   q5.labelsfont=Serif-bold-18

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Last modified: Thu Dec 9 19:13:05 EET 1999