← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

Validation rules on an online survey form

A rule set on an online form question, such as required, a number range or multiple choice instead of free text, that blocks bad answers so only valid data is collected.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 22

Understanding Validation rules on an online survey form in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10

What it does: A fixed list of options stops spelling variations and unexpected answers, so the data stays consistent. Turning on Required for a question blocks blank submissions, so the data requirement is always met. A number rule on the question only accepts numbers, so text like 'banana' is blocked when the answer is entered. A required question cannot be skipped, so the form will not submit until it is answered. This prevents missing values. No one can sleep more than 24 hours in a night, so a range of 0 to 24 blocks impossible values like 99 or -5. Multiple choice (or drop-down) lets people pick from fixed options instead of free text, so every answer is spelled the same way.

Common mistakes: The maximum (8) is lower than the minimum (12), so no answer could ever pass the number range rule. It should be max = 18. Free text lets people type typos or odd answers such as 'nine'. A drop-down list limits answers to the listed choices, so it should be type = dropdown.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 255–329) and word search (Modules 226–329).

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Learning
Duo
A survey asks 'How many hours did you sleep last night?' and students type anything. Which form setting blocks 'banana' as an answer?
A number response validation ruleMaking the question title longer
Matches
Hours of sleep (short answer, no rules): 'lots', '-5', '200'
↓
Free text with no validation lets in words and impossible numbers. It should use a number rule, such as a number between 0 and 24.
Applying
Meanings
Term
response validation
Meaning
A rule set on an online form question, such as required, a number range or multiple choice instead of free text, that blocks bad answers so only valid data is collected.
Practice
<form>
Testing
Gaps
Required:
Check Answer
Spots
3min = 12
4max = 8

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Quick Questions

1. A survey asks 'How many hours did you sleep last night?' and students type anything. Which form setting blocks 'banana' as an answer?
A. A number response validation rule ✓
B. Making the question title longer
A number rule on the question only accepts numbers, so text like 'banana' is blocked when the answer is entered.
2. You must have every respondent's year level to analyse results. What should you do to the question?
A. Leave it optional and hope people answer
B. Mark it as required ✓
A required question cannot be skipped, so the form will not submit until it is answered. This prevents missing values.
3. Which number range rule is best for 'How many hours of sleep did you get last night?'
A. Number greater than 100
B. Number between 0 and 24 ✓
No one can sleep more than 24 hours in a night, so a range of 0 to 24 blocks impossible values like 99 or -5.
4. Which question format stops spelling variations like 'Yr 9', 'year nine' and '9th'?
A. Multiple choice with Year 9 and Year 10 options ✓
B. A short answer text box
Multiple choice (or drop-down) lets people pick from fixed options instead of free text, so every answer is spelled the same way.
5. True or false: response validation on a form blocks bad data at collection, before it reaches your spreadsheet.
A. True ✓
B. False
The rule is checked as the person answers, so invalid data is rejected before it is saved. That saves cleaning time later.

Match the Pairs

Required: ON → The respondent cannot submit the form until this question has an answer, so no blanks are collected.
Number between 1 and 10 → Only numbers from 1 to 10 are accepted, so an answer such as 99 or -4 is blocked.
Use multiple choice instead of free text so every answer is spelled the same way and only listed options can be chosen → Question type: Multiple choice (Year 9, Year 10)
Make sure a respondent cannot skip a question that you need an answer to → Required: ON
Hours of sleep (short answer, no rules): 'lots', '-5', '200' → Free text with no validation lets in words and impossible numbers. It should use a number rule, such as a number between 0 and 24.
Favourite subject (short answer): Maths, maths, Math, mathz → A free text answer creates spelling variations of the same choice. It should be a multiple choice or drop-down question.

Key Term

response validation
A rule set on an online form question, such as required, a number range or multiple choice instead of free text, that blocks bad answers so only valid data is collected.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Question: What is your age? Required: true
Hint: Type the setting value that forces the person to answer before submitting.
2. Question: Rate the canteen (1-5) Type: Number Rule: between 1 and 5
Hint: Type the keyword that sets a number range rule.
3. Question: Favourite subject? Type: Multiple choice Options: Maths, English, Science
Hint: Type the question type that offers fixed options instead of free text.
4. Question: Hours of sleep Type: Number Rule: between 0 and 24
Hint: Type the largest sensible upper limit for hours in one day.
5. Question: How old are you? Type: Number Rule: between 10 and 20
Hint: Type the answer type that blocks text so only numbers are accepted.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A question "Age in years"
B type = number
C min = 12
D max = 8
Line D — The maximum (8) is lower than the minimum (12), so no answer could ever pass the number range rule. It should be max = 18.
Question 2
A question "Year level"
B required = true
C type = free text
D options = 9, 10
Line C — Free text lets people type typos or odd answers such as 'nine'. A drop-down list limits answers to the listed choices, so it should be type = dropdown.
Question 3
A type = text
B question "Hours of sleep"
C min = 0
D max = 24
Line A — A number range rule (min and max) only works on a number question. With type = text, any words could be entered. It should be type = number.
Question 4
A question "Consent to take part"
B type = multiple choice
C required = false
D options = Yes, No
Line C — If the question is not required, people can skip it and leave the consent answer blank. It should be required = true so a response is always collected.
Question 5
A options = Yes No Unsure
B question "Do you use a VPN?"
C type = dropdown
D required = true
Line A — Without commas the form sees one single choice, 'Yes No Unsure'. The options must be separated by commas: options = Yes, No, Unsure.

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