Loaded, leading, probing, Rhetorical, close and open ended questions are the types of questions we use as per requirement.
Open-ended questions demand or ask more details of topic you quizzed. Whereas, closed questions seek black and white response either yes or no.
Though both close and open questions look contradictory in terms of answers they seek, theirs role in exploring knowledge, investigating problems, and finding solutions seems absolutely complementary.
One finds exact facts; while other obtains logical reasons. Really, both looks interesting to explore.
Meaning and examples of close questions
Whether it is a open or close ended question, these act as driving force of communication. The aim of questions is to bring out unknown things or ideas at the surface.
Close question is a response seeking or fact finding means for survey or research. By this approach, relevant, exact, and one word answers or facts can be obtained.
Besides, it helps to avoid unnecessary cumbersome burden of information, as it figure out most essential facts easily.
- Is organic food better for health?
- Do you agree that the terrorism is a global threat?
- Are you interested in sport activities?
- Who is your no.1 actor?
- Do you like to watch movies?
All are examples of close questions which seeks one word answer either yes or no.
Examples and definition of open 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.
Difference between close and open questions
So far, we have learnt that close question seeks black and white one word answer; while, open question requires to answer in detail.
One helps to find out exact facts by filtering loads of information. Whereas, open questions empower individuals to exercise mental power to think critically and creatively.
Differentiating Close question Vs open ended question
Questions that seek detailed information and indepth insight of respondents who answer is termed as”Open question or open-ended question”.
Such types of questions are aimed more than yes/no response from respondents, and empower person in question to exercise analytical as well as reasoned ability to find out better outcomes.
Description of open ended questions
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?
In this question, demand is for reasons that compelled given person to resign.
- Can you tell me why are people agitating here?
Person who is asking question wants to know the causes of agitation going here.
- What are the potential factors of sporadic rainfall?
Wants to know the factors which are causing rain to be erratic or sporadic over the period of time.
- How do we improve the demand for new product?
Official 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.
Close question explained
Close questions are specific sentences that demand black and white response from the respondents in exchange.
Basically, there are two types of questions used for exchange — open questions and close questions.
In communication, questions have multiple forms depending on the purpose for which it is being asked.
1.Close question
2.Open ended question
3.Loaded question
4.Leading question
5.Probing question
6.Rhetorical are some of the common examples of questions one usually uses.
But, here, my focus is on “How to ask close question”? So, first of all, let’s see the detailed understanding of “Close question” and thereafter, we will see the techniques.
Understanding close question
In simple words, close question seek black and white response without shades of grey. It means one word answer is what the exact demand of close question.
Here, like open questions, you don’t have scope for elaboration your response nor chances of justification. Absolutely, naked response without pro and against arguments.
Examples of close questions
- 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.
Importance and purpose of close questions
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.
In day-to-day activities, it is essential to exchange relevant and exact responses without loss of time.
How to ask close or close-ended question?
Not all “Question words” are used to ask close questions. Do, does, did, what, may, would etc. are preferred. Why, how, how and why, etc.can not used in formation of close questions.
In survey, feedback, market research, close questions have greater role. On the other hand, in the empirical as well as inductive approach, open questions have their dominance. So, both seem contradictory but complementary in true sense.
Solved questions on close and Open ended questions.
Q. 1 What are different types of questions?
Ans,: Loaded, leading, Probing, rhetorical, close and open ended are sad me major types of questions.
Q. 2 What is importance of questions?
Ans:Questions play vital role in gathering information about something. Some questions seek straight forward responses whereas get details about a thing in concern or respondent. They help to explore knowledge, investigate problem and find solution for it.
Q. 3 What do you understand from close questions?
Ans:These are types of questions which seek responses from respondent in the form of yes or no. Thes questions help to get exact facts about the problem or a thing in concern.
Q. 4 Which are the fields to apply close questions?
Ans: Close questions seek responses in the form of yes or no and gets exact facts in return. These types of questions are asked in the field of surveying where descriptive answers become cumbersome to handle. To make enquiry and get exact facts, and qualitative data close questions are preferred.
Elasticity and inelasticity of demand
Empirical research methodology