> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/study-basics/design-a-mission/randomization-options-in-dscout.md).

# Randomization options in Dscout

Randomization can help minimize participant bias by ensuring that your concepts, questions, or even answer choices are not always presented in the same order. Dscout offers several ways to incorporate randomization into your missions. Use the sections below to find the best option (or options!) for your research.

## Multi-variate testing

Randomize up to three concepts, designs, or stimuli in one mission with multi-variate testing. Maybe you’re testing different prototypes, each with several related follow-ups. With multi-variate testing, you can easily group questions by variant and then automatically randomize how participants see those variants.

Multi-variate testing also gives you the chance to show only one of your variants at random to each participant while ensuring even distribution across everyone you invite. Want to compare how users interact with two different versions of your website? Multi-variate testing can help.

For more information, see [Multi-variate testing](/study-basics/question-types/multi-variate-testing.md).

## Question groups

Question groups are similar to multi-variate testing—without the variants. If you have one set of related questions you want to keep together, you can add them to a question group. You then have the option to randomize all of the questions in that group when they’re presented to participants.

For more information, see [Question groups](/study-basics/question-types/question-groups.md).

## Randomized stimuli

If you're displaying images or other pieces of stimuli to participants, randomizing them can help prevent bias in your responses. You can enable randomized stimuli at the question level in certain study types, ensuring your participants see the attached files in a random order every time. For more information, see [Question stimuli](/study-basics/question-types/question-stimuli.md).

## Randomized answer choices

Sometimes, even the smallest bits of randomization can make a world of difference. So, Dscout lets you randomize the answer choices on many closed-ended question types. You’ll find this in obvious places like multiple choice questions, but you’ll also find it in places like card sorts where you can choose to randomize both the cards and the categories, ensuring no participant is influenced by the order in which you initially write your questions.


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