The importance of open ended and close ended questions in the today’s rapidly evolving innovative world is growing like never before. The power of questions and questioning is limitless in seeking information, exploring things, testing knowledge, and what not. There are various types of questions we use to achieve different communicative goals. Loaded, leading, probing, Rhetorical, close and open ended, etc. are certain examples of questions we use as per ours requirement. In this article, I’m going to explain in detail the types and usages of open ended and close ended questions.
Types of questions on the basis of purpose
Undoubtedly, nobody can be self-reliant in terms of information or knowledge. This is the reason why communication has so much importance. Being a versatile tool of communication, question serves different purposes by the means of different forms that you will learn here.
Grammatically, you may be aware of wh-question, tag, yes or no question and so on. Some could be formed by inversion of auxiliary or adding words. Some other could be by adding question tag or indirect form. Generally speaking, Open ended questions, closed ended questions, indirect questions, probing, rhetorical, etc. are the major types of questions we use in our day-to-day activities.
Divergent questions/ open ended questions/probing questions/evaluate questions
- Probing questions
- Problem solving questions
- Comparative questions
- Feedback questions
- Future oriented questions
Factual questions/ convergent questions/ closed ended questions
- Leading questions
- Yes/no questions
- Multiple choice questions
- Rank order questions
- Checklist questions
- Dropdown questions
Rhetorical question can be open ended or close ended. The purpose of rhetorical question decides its nature whether it is open or close ended.
Understanding factual questions/ convergent questions/ closed ended questions
Factual questions are the simplest form of questions based on its formation and level of information they seek. Such questions are formed by adding what, who, where, when, which etc. The main purpose of these questions are to seek exact single answer. More rigid no flexibility and rely only on yes or no answers. Let’s see some examples.
- What is your name?
- When do you reach at home?
- Where do you live?
- In which course you are studying?
- Who is your friend? etc.
All the above questions seeks exact single answer respose. They are also called closed ended questions. Really such questions are easy to varify, no difficulty in recalling. Most of the interactions involve factual questions. Quantitative research approach relies on fatual question to collect data to validate claim or hypothesis. In another word, factual questions are also called converging questions.
1. Leading question
Leading questions cleverly determine the response of participants. They limits the alternative options to answers. Such questions are asked to elicit predetermined responses. Somehow, leading questions have certain characteristics of closed ended questions.
Most of the time, leading questions use loaded language or carry assumptions. Further, such question acts as a tools to limit alternative answers. They are useful in quantitative research methods.
Suggest or determine answer
- I think you don’t prefer junk food, do you?
- You don’t look comfortable in public gathering, do you?
- Probably, you are nature lover, are you?
With assumptions
- How often do you get fined for breaking traffic rules?
- When do you stop insulting your brother?
- Would you get up before sunrise on any day?
- How do you rate this conversation?
Demand clarification
- Would you give me further details about new subscription plan?
- Is anything new this time?
Simply, leading questions are effective means to cleverly convince respondents to what questioner expects or assume.
2.Yes/no questions
Yes/no questions only asked to seek one word answer, “yes or no”. These are close ended questions help in establishing facts, gather direct data and help in making quick decisions.
- Are you an athlete?
- Do you like to watch football game?
- Have you ever watched any football game in stadium?
- Will you guide me to play football?
3. Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions are a kind of close ended questions used to test students broad understanding on a topic in a quick and efficient way. These questions help educators to engage students in the learning process.
What is the capital of Ethiopia?
a) Nairobi
b) Durban
c) Tripoli
d) Addis Ababa
Lonar lake is located in
a) Maharashtra
b) Rajasthan
c) Chhattisgarh
d) Telangana
4. Rank order questions
Rank order questions are also close ended questions used by any organization, company, or any entity to prioritize its task out of many options. These questions are useful in marketing and taking consumer feedback.
5.Checklist and drop down questions
These questions also belong to close ended questions category. Checklist questions help to reduce error and ensure completeness, while drop down questions is a tool to gather data effective manner.
Which subject would you prefer most for degree?
a) Geography
b) Political science
c) Sociology
d) History
These are some examples of types of close ended questions we use in our day-to-day activities.
Usages and importance of close ended questions
In simple words, close ended question seek black and white response without shades of grey. It means one word answer is what the exact demand of close question. Like open questions, you don’t have scope for elaboration your response nor chances of justification. Absolutely, naked response without pro and against arguments.
- Are you free now?
- Do you clear your exam?
- Have you finished your assignment?
- May I help you to solve the puzzle?
- I’m so late. Would you please drop me there?
- Does he get elected for second term? etc.
For inquiry, to obtain quantitative data regarding survey, collect exact facts, to seek relevant information, and to avoid arguments, close question has better role compare to other.
Many a time, let it be market survey or exit polls or opinion polls, close questions prove instrumental in collecting quick, exact response from respondents. This approach not only reduce the workload but bring more clarity of results.
- Who will win the election?
- Who will be the next PM?
- Is this product useful?
- Do you support climate change movements?
- To whom are you going to support? etc.
Besides, in research methods, close question has greater role in data collection. Concrete data in favour or against can easily be collected by the means of close question. Now, let’s see the types of open ended questions.
Divergent questions/ open ended questions/probing questions/evaluate questions
Unlike close questions, open-ended questions encourage learners to be more innovative and creative. It emphasizes on the in-depth knowledge of given topic you quizzed. But, the answer or response obtained by the open questions can’t be concrete or absolute but in the degree of probability.
- How do you describe your success journey?
- Do you have any ideas to solve food security problem?
- What factors are responsible for the rising demand for green and clean energy?
Such questions that I mentioned above demand detailed description or explanation about the topic. Here, mere one word answer can can’t be enough.
Open ended questions: meaning, importance, usages
Open question is a group of words or interrogative sentence directed to seek or ask detailed information from respondents either to reach at the probable conclusion or empower person in question to be more innovative.
- Why are you so confused?
- May I know the reason for your resignation?
- Can you tell me why are people agitating here?
- What are the potential factors of sporadic rainfall?
- How do we improve the demand for new product?
“Officials eager to find out the ways and means to maximize demand for new product in market”.
All the above examples belong to open-ended questions that seek reasons, options, alternatives, causes, etc. to support or deny possibilities. Answer or responses received by the means of open-ended questions can’t be yes or no but in the degree of probability.
In other words, black and white responses possible in close questions, whereas, answers with varying probability would be the case of open-ended questions.
Importance or significance of open question
Unlike close questions, open-ended questions are instrumental in boosting creative, innovative and lateral thinking. These encourage students and researchers to try out something out of box solutions that might not be possible if one try out different means.In addition, by practicing this means, one can easily cultivate the scientific approach to tackle questions he or she may face in process of learning.
Unquestionably, by asking open-ended questions, anyone can gain better out of healthy debates, discussion, and arguments. Usually, open-ended questions are formed by “Why, how, where, why and how” question words. Finally, probability oriented results are the strength, whereas, lack of concrete finding is the weakness of the open-ended questions.
Types of open ended questions
Now, look at the following types of open ended questions:
- Probing questions
- Problem solving questions
- Comparative questions
- Feedback questions
- Future oriented questions
1. Probing questions
Probing questions are aimed to collect or gather information in investigation by raising a series of questions. All the probing questions are open ended. They deman more details or explanation. Generally, such questions can be raised in a series to gather deeper information. These questions are more useful to explore and investigate any problem or incident. They are also more useful in elaborating things to bring more clarity.
- How did you manage yourself after that incident?
- How did it change your life?
- What happened about your business then?
- What are doing now?
- How do you feel today if you recall that phase of life?
These all are probing questions that aimed to seek details about something by raising a series of questions. Simply, purpose is to go into details. Therefore, probing questions are categorized as open ended questions.
Examples of probing questions
- How did you resolve the case within such a short period? What challenges did you face while investigation?
- Could you elaborate your idea regarding terrace farming? Will it work or not?
- What would you do to increase the sale of your product? How do you compete with the most popular product?
In short, probing questions play vital role in bringing clarification, gathering examples, seeking reasons, procedures, etc. In the next blog, I will discuss types of open ended questions in detail. Monetary policy of Reserve Bank of India
https://www.casca.ca/ecass/issues/2009-ve/classroom/theismeijer/questions.htm
https://www.mindtools.com/a2baqhc/questioning-techniques
https://www.callcentrehelper.com/practical-tips-for-effective-questioning-techniques-9045.htm