How does Canvas handle logic for multiple requirements in a Numerical Question?

[EmilyHu]

In Canvas quizzes, it is possible to have Numeric questions with "Requirements" that determine how a question will be graded (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-create-a-Numeric-question-in-New-Quizze...). These include options such as "Margin of Error," "Within a Range," "Exact Response," and so on.

My question is: what is the logic for when multiple such conditions are applied?

Suppose we ask a question for which the correct response is 10. We then specify two conditions:

• Margin of Error: +/- 1 %
• Range: 9.8 to 10.2

Here, the Range and Margin of Error are not equivalent. 1.01*10 = 10.1, which means that the Margin of Error would only accept answer up to 10.1; however, an answer of up to 10.2 is also acceptable according to the Range condition.

My question is, what is the expected behavior of the Canvas quiz when the conditions are not equivalent? Does it use an "AND" logic, meaning BOTH conditions must be met, or an "OR" logic, meaning only ONE condition must be met? And can the condition be changed?

Ideally, I want to see something like, "either margin of error of 1% of Range, whichever is more generous." Meaning, if a student gives a response of 10.15, they should get credit for their answer, even if they violate one of the two conditions (it exceeds the Margin of Error, but is still within the Range).

Can you please clarify the logical behavior of the Canvas quiz?

Thanks so much in advance!

Best,

Emily

[james_whalley · Accepted solution]

@EmilyHu From my brief testing, it looks that the Numeric question type in a New Quiz uses OR logic when there are multiple requirements. I believe this is because you are only applying a single requirement for each possible answer. For instance, I can put Margin of Error: +/- 1%, but I am putting that for an answer that I provide. To then put Range: 9.8 to 10.2, I have to click + Possible Answer and provide a second possible answer (which could be the same as the first and just using a different requirement.

In the end though, if it meets the more generous requirement, it will be right, so why even put a less generous option? The student does not see that they fell within the more or less generous requirement and I don't believe it is indicated to you either.

[EmilyHu]

This is super helpful! Thank you so much!