Single Choice Question
Single Choice Question: One Clear, Fast Answer
A list of options where the respondent picks exactly one - the fastest, clearest way to ask a question that has a single right answer.
What it is
A single choice question displays a list of options from which the respondent can select only one answer. This is the default choice when possible answers are mutually exclusive, such as a plan tier, an age range, or a yes/no question.
When to use it
- The options are mutually exclusive - only one can be true at a time
- You want fast, easy-to-analyze answers with no ambiguity
- You're asking for a category, a preference, or a single decision
- Mobile respondents are answering - tapping one option beats typing
Best practices
- Keep the list short - beyond 6-7 options, respondents start skimming instead of reading
- Cover every realistic answer, and add an "Other" option as an escape valve
- Order options logically (scale, alphabetical, or by likely frequency) - order affects which answers get picked
- Word each option so it can't be misread as overlapping with another
Common pitfalls
- Options that aren't truly mutually exclusive push respondents to guess or pick the closest fit
- Missing an obvious answer forces a false choice and skews your data
- Order bias matters: options at the top of a list are prioritized and selected more frequently. Consider this for long lists or rotate the order of your options.