Implementation of Conditional Branching in Computerized Self-Administered Questionnaires

On-line surveys can automate conditional branching in self-administered questionnaires and make the task easier for the respondent. This paper discusses the types of branching that can be automated and different techniques for designing the interface. Design factors take into consideration the level of automation pre-programmed into the survey versus the amount of control afforded to the respondent, the cognitive complexity of the interface versus ease of use, and the degree of context provided by showing surrounding items on the questionnaire versus a focus on single questions.