I want a word that conveys the opposite of "free-form," as in "free-form answers." Is it "pre-selected"? An example sentence would be: "Let's change the response field from free-form to [pre-selected?] choices."
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1In most contexts like yours, the best alternative is probably Multiple Choice or Tick Boxes. But it might depend on the exact context. (Input screen on a PC? Questionnaire being filled in by a pollster/market researcher on behalf of a respondent?)– FumbleFingersCommented Sep 6, 2015 at 17:03
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One possibility is 'menu'. This indicates that a list (menu) of possible answers is provided and the user chooses the most appropriate.– chasly - supports MonicaCommented Sep 6, 2015 at 17:44
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1Formatted, restricted format, structured.– Hot LicksCommented Sep 6, 2015 at 19:04
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4 Answers
In this context, I'd use "structured" as the opposite of free-form. This would imply that instead of being able to choose anything, that there are a set of structured choices to choose from.
Defined as:
adjective 1. having and manifesting a clearly defined structure or organization.
A closed-ended question.
A closed-ended question is a question format that limits respondents with a list of answer choices from which they must choose to answer the question. Commonly these types of questions are in the form of multiple choices, either with one answer or with check-all-that-apply, but also can be in scale format, where respondent should decide to rate the situation in along the scale continuum, similar to Likert questions.
Source:Wikipedia
Pre-defined
Not sure what to say about the proposal -- seems self-explanatory.
answered Sep 8, 2015 at 5:36
Multiple choice describes a certain testing form.
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Multiple choice is not an "opposite" of free-form, however; it is one of any number of non-freeform question types, which also include true/false, fill-in-the-blank, ordering, drag-and-drop, and hotspot among others.– chosterCommented Sep 6, 2015 at 21:56
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Disagree. If you tell a student to expect a multiple choice test he will not be surprised to find true/false, fill-in-the-blank and so forth. It's shorthand for not a written test. I don't accept structured in the context of the question. "Students, please expect a structured test on Monday", would mean nothing here in the US and hands would go up. I have never heard "Students, please expect a fill in the blanks test, or drag and drop test on Monday." I stand by the answer. I’ve never heard free form test. These are referred to as written here. Commented Sep 8, 2015 at 20:11
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I am referring to types of questions. If an exam has only one kind of question, it is indeed referred to as a true/false exam, short answer exam, essay exam, and so on, or more often, an exam will have multiple parts or sections with the same type of question. But if a quiz consists of ten fill-in-the-blank question, no, you cannot call it a multiple choice quiz as there are no multiple choice questions.– chosterCommented Sep 8, 2015 at 21:50
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Of course you can't. My point is a test hybrid is usually referred to as a multiple choice test. If not, it certainly is not enumerated by the professor. And it would never be called structured. A multiple choice test can encompass many things, particular or not. Is it the "opposite" of free-form? I guess it depends. Everyone I know understands this usage. And yes, you can refer to a drag and drop or whatever test as "multiple choice" even while it is not. This is my experience in the class room. Thank you for you comments. I have not been persuaded but it appears group has. Commented Sep 9, 2015 at 15:54