According to the Appian UX Design guide, which type of form component should be used for making a required selection from fewer than five options?

The recommended form component for making a required selection from fewer than five options is the radio button field. This is because radio buttons are specifically designed for scenarios where a user must select one option from a small set of choices. They allow for a clear visual representation of the options available, making it easier for users to identify and select their desired choice without confusion.

Radio buttons also provide an intuitive experience, where users immediately understand that they can only select one option at a time, which is ideal in cases where fewer than five options are presented. This enhances usability and ensures that the selection process is straightforward and efficient for users.

In contrast, dropdown fields serve well when there's a larger number of options and help save screen space, while checkbox fields are suitable for selecting multiple options. Text fields are not appropriate in this scenario as they allow for free-text entry, which does not align with the requirement for a defined selection from a limited set of choices.