queXML

I recently had the opportunity to use queXML, a simple XML schema for designing questionnaires, and found it to be quite efficient. It comes equipped with stylesheets to administer a questionnaire in PDF (paper), CASES, and phpSurveyor, making the design process smooth and simple. It boasts complete compatibility with the DDI standard for data description, which is a great advantage.

One of the most remarkable features of queXML is that the PDF instruments created using it can be scanned and verified conveniently using queXF. The XML schema is created to describe a questionnaire, and related XML stylesheets are also available.

What sets queXML apart is its ability to "export" questionnaires to multiple modes of questionnaire administration/execution, making it easily adaptable to various systems. The questionnaires can be exported to XSL:FO and then PDF for paper-based administration, SQL commands for web-based administration compatible with phpSurveyor or CASES software for Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI).

By creating a stylesheet for a specific survey execution system, existing queXML questionnaires can be utilized, making it possible to execute the questionnaire in multiple modes, either simultaneously or separately. Additionally, queXML is DDI-compliant, and there's a stylesheet to convert an instrument in queXML to a description of the data that the survey execution system will collect. This enables DDI compliance without modifying the survey execution system.

The latest release of queXML includes a PDF stylesheet that is compatible with and requires Apache FOP 0.94 and Barcode4j version 2.0 alpha 2. It also incorporates new DVAS and VAS question types (Discrete Visual Analog Scale and Visual Analog Scale).

Overall, I would highly recommend queXML to anyone seeking a quick, efficient, and adaptable XML schema for designing questionnaires.