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Perception Analyzer requires that all questions in a project questionnaire have unique names. If you don’t specify a name when a question is created in PAEdit, the editor will create one automatically, beginning with the name QUEST and using QUEST1 next, then QUEST2, etc. The automatic question naming can be used to create a consistent naming scheme when creating modules of questions to evaluate multiple products or concepts.

The names may include numbers and characters and may be up to 8 characters in length. The eight-character limit ensures compatibility with older versions of SPSS. Spaces are not allowed; use an underscore instead. Most other characters are not allowed; note that the question-entry dialog will not close if there is an unacceptable name.

If you copy a question in PAEdit, a number is appended to the end of the existing name, e.g. the copy of QUEST becomes QUEST1. If the question already has a trailing number, the program automatically increments to the next number, e.g., a copy of QUEST23 becomes QUEST24.

The automatic question naming can be used to advantage when creating modules of questions to evaluate multiple products or concepts. First, create a question-module template with all questions ending in the number “1”, e.g. PRICE1, DESIGN1, PERFORM1, etc. Copying and pasting all three questions automatically results in the questions PRICE2, DESIGN2, PERFORM2. All that is required is to change the product or concept name in each module of questions, which can be done via PAEdit’s Find/Replace function. This method can be used to rapidly create many modules of questions with a consistent naming scheme.

A question-module template can also be created as a question group. To do so, first create one or more of your required questions in a “Custom” question group with the Add Group/Insert Group or Summary wizard in PAEdit. In the wizard, designate a block name for the group with a number 1 at the end of the name, and then create at least one question in the group. After the group is created, change the name of any questions therein so they have the number 1 at the end of their names. If you want questions of different types in the question module, add them to the questionnaire with the number 1 at the end and drag them into the group as well. After a group is created in this way, it can be copied resulting in the group folder and all questions inside named with the same trailing number. Use the Find/Replace function to customize the text in each group for a particular product or concept.