Allow ratings to have N/A responses

[COBRAws]

I want to know if it's possible to have N/A rating options for some questions.

Some times, not all my members can vote/select a rating for each question. And if its left in 0, the averages go down.

Is there a way to add the N/A option before the 0?

N/A - 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
N/A - 0 - 0.5 - 1 - 1.5 etc


Thanks in advance,
Jack

[COBRAws]

I just found that there is an option for allowing N/A ratings

Allow n/a - Allows the author to assign n/a to the question. For example, say these ratings are for a game review where Multi Player is one of the options. You might set the Multi Player as allow n/a, that way when the author reviews a game without multi player capabilities, they can assign n/a to the Multi Player question. That way, the overall score is not affected by the n/a and users cant skew results by giving a score to n/a.


But when I go an post a new reply and the rating questions show up, there are just numeric values on the dropdowns and I can not see the N/A Option. Is it there something I am missing?

[The Geek]

Edit the rating via the admincp and make sure that the 'na' option is selected. Saying that, only the author can choose n/a. If they do, then the option does not display for the user to seelct - so its not really the same thing as you are after I think :)

[COBRAws]

Edit the rating via the admincp and make sure that the 'na' option is selected. Saying that, only the author can choose n/a. If they do, then the option does not display for the user to seelct - so its not really the same thing as you are after I think :)

Oh, I thought there was an option so when users rated a thread/review, instead of choosing from 0 to 10, they could vote as N/A.
Is there a way so members can select a rating that does not affect the overall rating? Some people cant allways rate all options and need to leave some blank.



BTW: welcome back ;)

[The Geek]

Thanks :D

There isn't a way to accomplish what you are after :( I see how it could be a benefit (i.e. a restaurant review but the member didn't have the 'dessert' so they 'pass' on rating on it). I am not 100% sure how to implement something like that and what the downsides would be.

For instance, if there were 10 items to rate on, someone could only choose 1 item to rate which would give that 1 item 10x's more weight (if you follow).

Not too sure yet... will have to muddle :)

[COBRAws]

I have an idea, instead of just a dropdown, have a radio button next to it. So if the value of the dropdown is null (no option selected), the radio button should be selected (labeled "I dont want to rate this item" or something).
So the average of that user is only calculated based on which values he rated and not the ones where the radio button was selected.

[The Geek]

Its just as dooable having an option in the drop down to not choose to rate it - I just think there are some potential problems with that. I will investigate further and get back to you. Regardless, there would be a lot of code that would need to be rewritten so if I can do it, it will be a little bit longer before I can get to it.

HTHs

[Tigratrus]

Saying that, only the author can choose n/a. If they do, then the option does not display for the user to seelct

I so totally did NOT get that. I thought it was for the same as COBRAws did - that would be really useful for some of our members who, for instance, might want to rate a site on the site experience, selection and price but would have no idea about the customer service or shipping. As it stands, we can only have them rate on their site experience. :(

Can you have the n/a selections leave a null in the db vs a zero? Are the current averages stored and updated when a new rating is submitted? If so, I'd think that running a more complex calculation where you first add the values than divide by a count of non-null entries wouldn't make much of a difference performance wise as it only happens during ratings submission?

::shrug:: I'm sure you've spent a *lot* more time thinking about this than we have, just wanted to chime in that this is something that kind of breaks ratings for us too :(.

So....add us to the list of those who'd like to see this implemented! :D

Susan and James (combined posting)