Both have different purposes to serve. Probing questions are aimed to collect or gather information in investigation by raising a series of questions. While leading questions indirectly intend to manipulate or influence the answer of respondents. In case of leading questions, person wants desired response from participants. Here, by the means of difference between probing and leading questions, I’m going to differentiate both in detail.
Meaning and examples of probing questions
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 and meaning of leading questions
I think you are not happy with this decision, isn’t it?
You were not interested in doing that course, right?
I know you always support social harmony, would you join anti racial protest?
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.
Major characteristics of probing and leading questions
Probing 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 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.
Leading questions
These are typically closed ended questions. They seeks yes or no answers as they limits the numbers. The question itself suggest or determine the answer the questioner expect from respondents.
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.
Knowing difference between probing and leading questions
Probing question is a impactful tool to succeed in probe, investigation, research and exploring things. Whereas, leading question shrudly influence the respondent by limiting possible answers and suggesting one that questioner desires most.
Probing questions are commonly used in qualitative research where every detail is rewarded. While leading questions have greater value in arguments, trials, persuasion. Definitely, both are instrumental in facilitating meaningful communication and learning. In the next articles, I will bring you a new topic in learning theory.
Open ended and closed ended questions
Difference between research question and hypothesis
https://www.mindtools.com/a2baqhc/questioning-techniques
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