> 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/question-types/question-stimuli.md).
# Question stimuli
| Study type | Availability |
|---|
| Screeners | true |
| Usability tests | true |
| Media surveys | true |
| Intercept studies | true |
| Diary studies | true |
You can add stimuli to questions in screeners and unmoderated studies to get participant feedback on visual assets, concepts, and more. You can also randomize your stimuli to help prevent bias.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** This article covers stimuli in unmoderated studies. For information on adding stimuli to an interview study, see [Add stimuli to an interview study](/interview-studies/create-an-interview-study/add-stimuli-to-an-interview-study.md).
{% endhint %}
## Stimuli limitations
When working with stimuli in Dscout, some limitations apply:
* Up to 5 pieces of stimuli can be added to a single question.
* Supported file types include .jpg and .png. (**GIF files are not supported**.)
* Recommended maximum file size is **1 MB**.
* **(Mobile)** Recommended file dimensions are 1080 x 1920 with a portrait aspect ratio.
* **(Desktop)** Recommended minimum width of 1300 pixels. (Lower resolutions may appear pixelated to participants.)
* **Participants must view** ***all*** **images** attached to a question before they can provide a response or advance to the next question.
* **Stimuli cannot be added to card sort, tree testing, screen recording, or task questions.**
* **Stimuli cannot be added to AI moderated studies.**
## Add stimuli to a question
You’ll add stimuli at the question level. Once you’ve uploaded a piece of stimuli, you can attach it to additional questions in the builder without having to re-upload it.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** Once you’ve added a piece of stim, you can assign it to additional questions without re-uploading.
{% endhint %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click the question in the builder. The question’s settings are displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Add** or **+ Add stimuli**. The add stimuli modal is displayed.
**Screeners, usability tests, media surveys, intercept studies:**
**Diary studies:**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Drag and drop files to upload them. Or, click to browse for files on your device. Uploaded files are displayed on the right of the modal.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** Files you’ve already uploaded are displayed on the right of the modal. You can select existing files here without re-uploading them.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Choose images to attach to your selected question. Use the checkboxes to the left of your stimuli. Your selections populate the question’s five allowed pieces of stimuli at the top of the modal.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** Click **Untitled image** to give your uploaded stimuli a participant-facing name. Participants will never see stimuli file names.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Insert images**. Once you’ve finalized your selection.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, the selected stimuli are added to the question. When participants reach this point in your study, they’ll have to view all pieces of stimuli before they can provide a response or proceed to the next question in your study.
You can preview any stimuli by clicking on it in the builder:
To edit a question’s stimuli, simply return to the **add stimuli** modal from the builder.
## Display or hide stimuli titles to participants
Depending on your research needs, you may not want your participants to see the titles you give your stimuli. Titles are displayed by default, however you can control this from the builder using the **Hide titles** and **Show image titles to Scouts** toggles:
**Screeners, usability tests, media surveys, intercept studies:**
**Diary studies:**
## Randomize stimuli
To avoid bias, you can randomize stimuli at the question level. This presents any stimuli attached to that question to each participant in a random order. During analysis, you’ll be able to see the order in which each participant saw your stimuli from the **Participants** view.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Changing this setting on a launched screener or study will create a new version of the associated question during analysis. For more information, see [Edit a launched screener or study](/study-basics/edit-close-or-relaunch-missions/edit-a-launched-screener-or-study.md).
{% endhint %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click the question in the builder. The question’s settings are displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Set the **Stimuli randomization** toggle to **ON**.
**Screeners, usability tests, media surveys, intercept studies:**
**Diary studies:**
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** This setting is only displayed when two or more pieces of stim are added to a question.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, the stimuli for that question will be displayed to participants in a random order. To display stimuli to participants in the order they appear in the builder, set this toggle to **OFF**.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Stimuli will not be randomized when previewing your study. However, stimuli will be randomized when viewing your study in test mode.
{% endhint %}
Questions with stimuli randomization enabled show a chip letting you know:
## Download stimuli
You can download stimuli that’s been added to your study directly from the builder. This is helpful if another researcher uploaded stimuli but you want to keep a copy handy for yourself.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click **Add** or **+ Add stimuli** on any question in your study. The add stimuli modal is displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click the **Download** icon beside any piece of stim. Or, click **Download all** to download everything that’s been added to the study.
Now, stimuli downloaded individually are automatically saved wherever your device stores downloaded files. If you download all stimuli at once, a progress bar is displayed at the top of the builder. When prompted, click **Download** to download a ZIP file of all your study’s stimuli.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://help.dscout.com/study-basics/question-types/question-stimuli.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.