Entry
Entries A-Z
Open-Ended versus Closed-Ended Questions
Researchers use such questions in questionnaires and interviews to provide data for their study. An open-ended question allows the research participant to respond fully in his or her own words—for example, “Tell me about your study habits.” This type of question is designed to elicit a detailed answer using the participant's own knowledge, experience, or feelings. Closed-ended questions include a set of response categories constructed by the researcher, and the partici pant must select from the predetermined response choices. An example of a closed-ended question is “How useful do you think your research methods course will be in your career?” (1) Not at all useful, (2) Not very useful, (3) Somewhat useful, (4) Very useful. To answer this question, the participant has to select one ...