After a scale response, MediaLab checks it for it corresponding SkipTo value. If the value is none, it proceeds to the next question. If it has a value, it assumes that value is a variable name and skips each subsequent question until it finds the one with the variable name that matches the skip to value it's looking for. Skipped items will be assigned missing values in the data set.

Unconditional Skipping

In some cases you may want to skip over items unconditionally. Unlike conditional skipping, you can do this with any item type. For unconditional skipping from a scale response simply place the same variable name in each SkipTo field. For all other item types, simply enter the variable name you wish to skip to in the single SkipTo field.

Unconditional skipping is especially useful for rejoining subjects who have been conditionally skipped to various points in the questionnaire so that they end up at a common place. When they are done their special sections, they can be joined up to the same question by putting an unconditional skip item at the end of each of their custom sections. In each case they are all skipped to the same item and continue on with the same set of items.

Advanced Hints

Combining the skip function with RWG (Randomize-Within Groups) you can achieve extra randomization functionality. For example, to randomly present 5 of 10 items give all 10 items the same RWG value (e.g., 1). This will randomize their order. Then, embed a blank instruction item with a delay of 1 second after the fifth item and give it a skip value to go the item following the tenth randomized item. This will result in the five of the ten items being presented (which were randomly ordered) after which MediaLab will automatically skip the remaining 5 items and proceed with the rest of the questionnaire.

Skipping a Fixed Number of Items (v2008)

As an alternative to explicitly naming the variable you want to skip to, you can simply enter +1, +2, +3, +n, etc. MediaLab will automatically skip that many items without needing to know the name of a "skipto" variable--it will simply resume wherever it ends up. This is especially nice when the item being skipped to is randomly determined and so you do not actually know the variable name ahead of time.

Skipping on Multiple Response Items (v2008)

You can include skipto values with multiple response items but they work execute if and only if the subject chooses a single response. To be super safe, you can combine this with the (r1-1) parameter in order to disallow multiple options from being selected, e.g., (p5,r1-1) for a 5-item multiple response question where one--and only one--option must be selected. That will consequently guarantee your skips to work.