Rolling the Dice: A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing a Dice Task with JavaScript in Qualtrics

Are you tired of using boring, outdated survey tools that fail to engage your participants? Do you want to shake things up and add some excitement to your research projects? Look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to implement a dice task with JavaScript in Qualtrics, taking your surveys to the next level.

What is a Dice Task?

A dice task is a popular behavioral task used in psychology and behavioral economics to study decision-making under uncertainty. Participants are presented with a virtual dice roll, and based on the outcome, they’re asked to make a decision. This task allows researchers to examine how people weigh risks and rewards, and how they respond to uncertain outcomes.

Why Use JavaScript in Qualtrics?

Qualtrics is an excellent platform for building surveys and collecting data, but it has its limitations. By incorporating JavaScript, you can unlock a world of possibilities, including creating interactive tasks, customizing the user experience, and collecting more nuanced data. In this article, we’ll demonstrate how to harness the power of JavaScript to implement a dice task in Qualtrics.

Setting Up the Task

Before we dive into the JavaScript code, let’s set up the basic structure of our task in Qualtrics. Create a new survey and add a new question. Choose the “Descriptive Text” question type, as we’ll be using this to display our dice roll animation.

Adding the HTML Container

In the question text, add the following HTML code:

<div id="dice-container"></div>

This will create a container element with the ID “dice-container”, where we’ll render our dice roll animation.

The JavaScript Code

Now it’s time to add the JavaScript code that will bring our dice task to life. In Qualtrics, click on the “Add JavaScript” button in the top-right corner of the survey editor. This will open the JavaScript editor, where you can paste the following code:

// Define the dice container element
var diceContainer = document.getElementById("dice-container");

// Define the dice roll function
function rollDice() {
  // Generate a random number between 1 and 6
  var roll = Math.floor(Math.random() * 6) + 1;
  
  // Create a dice roll animation
  var animation = "";
  for (var i = 0; i < roll; i++) {
    animation += "<img src='https://example.com/dice-" + (i + 1) + ".png' alt='Dice " + (i + 1) + "'/>";
  }
  
  // Display the dice roll animation
  diceContainer.innerHTML = animation;
}

// Roll the dice on page load
rollDice();

// Add an event listener to re-roll the dice on button click
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
  var rollButton = document.createElement("button");
  rollButton.textContent = "Roll Again";
  rollButton.onclick = function() {
    rollDice();
  };
  diceContainer.appendChild(rollButton);
});

This code defines the dice container element, generates a random dice roll, creates a simple animation, and displays it in the container. It also adds a “Roll Again” button that allows participants to re-roll the dice.

Customizing the Task

Now that we have the basic task up and running, let’s explore some ways to customize it to suit your research needs.

Adding Decision-Making Options

To make the task more engaging, you can add decision-making options for participants to choose from. For example, you could ask them to decide whether to accept or reject the dice roll outcome. Add the following HTML code to the question text:

<ul id="options">
  <li><input type="radio" name="option" value="accept"> Accept</li>
  <li><input type="radio" name="option" value="reject"> Reject</li>
</ul>

Then, update the JavaScript code to capture the participant’s response:

// Get the decision-making options
var options = document.getElementById("options");

// Add an event listener to capture the participant's response
options.addEventListener("click", function(event) {
  if (event.target.type === "radio") {
    // Get the selected option
    var selectedOption = event.target.value;
    
    // Log the response
    console.log("Participant chose: " + selectedOption);
  }
});

Using Different Dice Graphics

Want to add some visual flair to your dice task? You can use different graphics for the dice roll animation. Simply update the animation code to point to your custom graphics:

// Create a dice roll animation
var animation = "";
for (var i = 0; i < roll; i++) {
  animation += "<img src='https://example.com/custom-dice-" + (i + 1) + ".png' alt='Dice " + (i + 1) + "'/>";
}

Troubleshooting and Tips

As with any JavaScript implementation, you may encounter some issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips and best practices to keep in mind:

• Make sure to test your code thoroughly to ensure it’s working as expected.
• Use the Qualtrics JavaScript debugger to identify and fix any errors.
• Keep your code organized and commented to ease maintenance and updates.
• Consider using a JavaScript library or framework, such as jQuery, to simplify your code.
• Don’t forget to collect and store the participant’s responses in your survey.

Conclusion

Implementing a dice task with JavaScript in Qualtrics is a powerful way to add interactivity and engagement to your surveys. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to create a customized dice task that meets your research needs. Remember to test your code thoroughly, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you encounter any issues. Happy coding!

Ready to take your research to the next level? Start building your dice task today!

Task Feature	Description
Dice Roll Animation	A visually engaging animation that simulates a dice roll.
Decision-Making Options	Allows participants to make decisions based on the dice roll outcome.
Customizable Graphics	Use custom graphics for the dice roll animation to fit your research brand.
Interactive and Engaging	Increases participant engagement and motivation.

By incorporating a dice task into your survey, you can:

1. Study decision-making under uncertainty
2. Investigate risk-taking behavior
3. Examine the impact of chance events on decision-making
4. Develop more accurate models of human behavior

The possibilities are endless! Get creative and start rolling the dice today.

Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to roll the dice with Qualtrics and JavaScript!