Data and Layout

There are at least two main sides to a questionnaire:

• the data which is presented, acquired, and finally ingested.

• the forms that present and receive the data.

We speak of data vs. layout.

In system's terms, the data is described in terms of selections, i.e. subsets of multidimensional datasets. Layout is defined instead in terms of pages, sections, sheets, and other presentational elements.

Typically, selections and layout are thematically structured, and layout follows the structure of selections. Data and layout are also specified, i.e. described and generated from synthetic and parametric descriptions. Parameters range in line with the requirements of data collection campaigns. Campaigns call for coordinated management of large questionnaire populations.

In this section, we explore further the concepts of questionnaire selection, layout, structure, specification, and campaign. In the process, we also look at how the current system supports the notions, so as to contextualise the improvements we will discuss later.