SECTON 1 - Devising the Questions
This section discusses the development of the questionaire itself using the ESB Question Editor. It is the most difficult part and is usually an iterative activity. Each domain will present a different set of problems for you to overcome and so there is no 'right' way to proceed. The process described here is simply one that has worked for me in the past and is one that will hopefully help you to start using ESB.

Getting Started - Traits
You will have some idea of the solutions your ESB system will be providing (in our case it's the list of animals above). Start by 'brainstorming' the traits that each of your solutions has, identify the aspects of each that will allow you to distinguish them from one onother. I came up with the following for our solution set:

• Cats - low maintenance, not particularly loyal, relatively clean, allergies, cheap to acquire (often free), can become real characters and members of the family, Can handle them often, cuddly, Live 15yrs+, tendency to not come home (wander or get run over).
• Dogs - loyal, obedient, can be trained, are a tie, are not clean, faeces in the garden and elsewhere, require regular walks and exercise, slobber, grooming, rarely free (even mongrels), can become real characters and members of the family, like attention, not good in small homes, not good to leave at home all day if you work, Live 15yrs+
• Rabbits - Don't really require exercise, not loyal, do not bond, can't really play with a rabbit - they breed like rabbits (unsurprisingly), will cost some money to acquire, require a hutch, hutch requires cleaning often, can't have around the house (normally), Can handle them, Shorter lifespan, 8yrs.
• Hamsters, Gerbils or Mice - Need cage, small, relatively inexpensive, don't bond well, not a family member, no exercise required, short lifespans, Smelly, live outside or in shed
• GoldFish - very easy to look after, cheap, forgetfull, can't cuddle it, very low maintenance
• etc....

The above are simply my views (and I'm no expert) and not necessarily a true reflection of the actual behaviours (or peoples perceptions) of these animals. However for the purposes of this exercise we'll accept them as being true.

Normalisation
Looking at the list created above it will be possible to identify characteristics or traits to look for in your domain. I've created the following list of issues to consider from the above (plus a few points that came to me as I was thinking)

• Exercise requirements.
• Companionship (and family membership).
• Affection.
• Handling (and cuddling)
• Cleanliness (issues of faeces, dog hair, cat hair etc)
• Space available (at home and for exercise).
• Cost (grooming, feeding, vets bills, purchase etc.)
• Does anyone in the household have any allergies?
• Commitment - How will the pet fit into your lifestyle - do you work all day?
• Children.
• Other pets.
• Lifespan (the animals and perhaps the owners)
• Personal Preference
• Proximity to major roads and/or other dangers.

Devise User Questions
We're now ready to start devising questions based around the normalised traits identified in the previous step. Considering the first few traits in the above set then appropriate questions might be:

Exercise (Trait #1)
Q1. How fit and active are you?
[A] Very fit, I exercise every day and live for keeping fit.
[B] Fit, I exercise often and enjoy keeping fit
[C] Average, I exercise when I get around to it but can do most activities normally.
[D] Unfit, I don't keep fit at all and get tired easily.
[E] Very unfit, I'm the archetypal couch potato.

For people or answered (d) or (e) we need to consider whether they want to get fit so ask the following:

Q2. You don't consider yourself to be very fit but would you like to be?
[A] Yes.
[B] No.
[C] I don't know.

Q3. Do you prefer to be 'out and about' or to spend your time at home?
[A] I love the outdoors.
[B] I like my home the best.
[C] I don't have a preference.

Companionship (Trait #2)
Q4. Which of the following best describes your home life?
[A] I live with my partner and children.
[B] I live with my partner.
[C] I live alone.
[D] I share a property with others.
[E] Something else.

Affection (Trait #3)
Q5. Is it important that your new pet integrates as part of the family and returns affection
[A] Yes.
[B] No.
[C] I'm not bothered.

Companionship (Trait #4)
Q6. Do you want to be able to pick up and cuddle your pet?
[A] Yes.
[B] No.

Cleanliness (Trait #5)
Q7. How house proud are you (or more importantly) your partner?
[A] I'm very house proud, everything has a place and I like to keep things pristine always.
[B] I'm quite tidy, I like my home to look nice but I'm not a fanatic.
[C] I'm tidy(ish) for most of the time, but not overly phased by it.
[D] I'm not tidy, I like my home to look lived in.
[E] My house is on a par with the inside of a skip (is a dumpster in the US?)

etc.....

Hopefully you get the idea. Devise questions that allow you to learn a little about the trait we are looking to examine. Some good questions for the remaining traits might be (this list is not exhaustive).

Q8. How big is the house (or apartment) that you live in?
....
Q9. How would you describe the size of your garden?
....
Q10. Do you live near a park, woodland, or open area where pets are allowed to exercise?
....
Q11. Some animals can be expensive, how much are you prepared to spend purchasing one?
....
Q12. How much are you prepared to spend each month on your pet?
....
Q13. Are you allergic to any of the following?
....
Q14. Do you work?
....
Q15. Is there anyone at home whilst you are at work
....
Q16. Do you have any other pets?
....
Q17. Do you have children that still live at home with you
....
Q18. Which of the following age groups best describe your childrens age?
....
etc

User questions are entered on this part of the ESB Question Editor screen.

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