Glossary
The form & survey glossary.
Clear definitions for the concepts behind great data collection.
- Online form
A web page that collects structured answers from respondents.
- Conditional logic
Rules that show, hide or branch questions based on earlier answers.
- Net Promoter Score (NPS)
A 0-10 loyalty metric: % promoters minus % detractors.
- Likert scale
A symmetric agree-disagree rating scale, often 5 or 7 points.
- Webhook
An HTTP callback that pushes data to your endpoint on an event.
- Form conversion rate
Submissions divided by views - the headline funnel metric.
- Multi-page form
A form split into sequential pages with Next/Back navigation.
- Answer piping
Reusing an earlier answer inside later questions or messages.
- Data portability
Your ability to export and move your data without loss.
- Row-level security (RLS)
Database-enforced rules on which rows a user can read or write.
- Honeypot
A hidden field that traps bots without bothering humans.
- Quiz form
A form with correct answers, points and scored outcomes.
- Form abandonment
When a respondent starts a form but leaves before submitting.
- Progressive disclosure
Revealing complexity only as a respondent needs it.
- Single-page vs multi-page form
One scrolling page versus sequential steps - a layout trade-off.
- Required vs optional fields
Whether an answer must be provided before the form can submit.
- Field validation
Checking an answer is well-formed before it is accepted.
- GDPR consent
A freely given, specific, informed opt-in to process personal data.
- Double opt-in
Confirming a subscription via a follow-up verification step.
- UTM tracking & hidden fields
Capturing campaign source data silently alongside form answers.
- Partial submissions
Saving answers as a respondent progresses, before final submit.
- Completion rate vs conversion rate
Finishers among starters versus submissions among all viewers.
- Matrix question
A grid rating several items against one shared scale.
- Ranking question
Asking respondents to order options by preference.
- Picture choice
A multiple-choice question where options are images.
- Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT)
A short-interval rating of satisfaction with a specific experience.
- Customer Effort Score (CES)
How much effort a customer expended to get something done.
- Survey sampling bias
When respondents systematically differ from the population studied.
- Form accessibility (WCAG)
Designing forms usable by people with disabilities, per WCAG.
- Webhook signing
Cryptographically proving a webhook payload's authenticity.
- Idempotency
Processing the same request twice has the same effect as once.