The Different Types of Questions

There are four basic and different types of questions. Most people know of two types: closed and open, but let’s drill down a little deeper.

Oh, just as an aside …

Has anyone ever taught you HOW to ask a question?

I mean, how do you CONSTRUCT the question itself? If you aren’t sure (or are simply curious), you might want to first read

Definitions of Closed and Open Questions

Closed questions confirm specific information you already (probably) know. Because you already/probably know the answer, they can’t be insightful.

Closed questions are perfect to clear up confusion or narrow information to a specific focus. Closed questions generally mean three types of answers:

Yes/no
One-word answers
A number or figure

They are best used at the beginning of interviews because they are generally easy to answer, so they give the respondent a bit of self-confidence as the questions get more complex.

Open questions prompt the respondent to express their views, opinions, concerns or issues. Often, they ask questions about information you cannot find prior to the interview. The most complex open questions – Speculative – encourage the respondent to open up or lead to creative possibilities.

Where closed questions are easy to answer, open questions get increasingly more complex to answer.

Never start with broad open questions.

Open Questions Fall into Three Types

Open questions will always give you more insightful answers than closed questions.

Objective Questions ask about facts you can’t get elsewhere.
Subjective Questions ask about emotions, to get feelings and perspectives about a topic or issue, or opinions about facts. (Remember: ‘Facts persuade but emotional motivates,’ so emotional answers give you a clue to a person’s behaviours.)
Speculative Questions have the most creative potential because they encourage the respondent to brainstorm or use their imagination. They can be specifically or figurately ‘What if …’ questions. Also, be careful not to ask an unanswerable question. (‘What is love?’)

Click on this link for more detailed information about what makes questions good, plus the nine types of bad questions.

You may find it’s appropriate, polite or mandatory to provide your questions in advance. Particularly with open questions, allow the respondent time before the interview to consider their answers. Schedule ample time for the question and answer period if the first option isn’t feasible. If your interview runs for less time than planned, you can either end early, or use the extra time for conversation or more questions. Always consider how you’re going to take notes. (Whenever possible, I try to bring a second listener with me, if for no other reason than to take notes so I can focus on listening to the respondent.)

Examples of the Different Types of Questions

Here are examples and variations of closed questions to show how they can be turned into other, different types of questions.

Examples of Closed Questions – To confirm specific facts, with either one-word or short answers

Is it true that your company wants to move into five more countries by the end of the year?
How many countries do you operate in today?

Examples of Open/Objective Questions – To get objectivity on the facts

Why are these markets your priority for the next twelve months?
Why is Australia a key priority of your business development?

Examples of Closed Questions – To narrow from a broad topic to a specific focus

Which markets are your priority for the next twelve months?
What is the primary reason your customers were so positive about the new product range?

Examples of Open/Subjective Questions – To get personal feelings or perspective

Which market do you think will have the greatest long-term potential for your company?
Why do you think the media was cynical about the new product benefits?

Examples of Closed Questions – To clear up confusion

Are you going to discontinue your current line of software when (new product) launches in September?
Is it true that the recommended sales price of the new line of software will be just 10 percent higher than the current line of software?

Examples of Open/Speculative Questions – To provoke one’s thoughts, predict or speculate on a future event

What would happen if both the old and new lines of software remained for sale?
What do you think the next line (after the new one) might offer to consumers in the future?

Asking good questions is a leadership skill. What’s your experiences on writing and asking questions? Please add your thoughts and comments below.

Click here for a PDF of the Closed vs Open Questions chart with some additional examples..