CLOSED QUESTIONS: CHARACTERISTICS AND EXAMPLES - DUDAS - 2024

The closed questions are those that are raised so that the person interviewed or interrogated must answer based on a series of options presented by the interviewer, interviewer or interrogator.

To be able to ask closed questions, it is necessary to know in advance what the answer options are to avoid obtaining unsuccessful data or confusing the person surveyed.

Customer satisfaction surveys often use closed questions. Source: pixabay.com

These types of questions are very useful to collect data, since it is easy to quantify the answers, since the options are predefined in advance.

Closed questions are the basis of statistical analysis and are widely used by pollsters, web pages to find out customer satisfaction, educational and personnel evaluations, and in other similar areas.

Types

Dichotomous questions

They are those in which there are only two answer options that are mutually exclusive. They are usually "yes" or "no" or "true or false".

Polytomous questions

Like the dichotomous ones, the answers are mutually exclusive, but in this case there are more than two options; for example: "yes", "no", "does not apply" or "does not want to answer".

Multiple choice questions

This type of closed question presents several answer alternatives that are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Ranking questions or rating scale

They are those questions that try to score something: it can be a service or an experience, among others. The most typical today are the stars used to rate online purchases.

characteristics

-The answer options are already given or established by the interviewer.

-They are answered with few words.

-The information obtained through the closed questions is of a specific nature.

-The answers are easy to quantify.

-The closed questions usually begin with "what", "where" or "when".

-If the question is used for an exam, there is only one correct answer.

Differences with open questions

Initial word

Closed questions usually start with "what," where, or "when." Instead, open-ended questions start with phrases like "why" or "what if".

Response size

The answers to the closed questions require few words, unlike the answers to the open questions, whose length is usually not delimited, but is left to the discretion of the interviewee.

Objectivity

Closed questions seek answers that are objective. On the other hand, open questions allow giving answers that are a bit more subjective.

Quantification

Due to their level of objectivity and format, the results of closed questions can be easily quantified. On the contrary, open questions are difficult to quantify.

Delimitation

The answer to a closed question is clearly delimited. On the other hand, before an open question the respondent can freely answer.

Level of detail

In closed questions, the information obtained is not very detailed. When it comes to open-ended questions, the answers offer more details about what is being asked.

Speed

Closed questions are answered quickly. In contrast, open-ended questions tend to take longer to answer.

Statistic analysis

As a consequence of its easy quantification, the statistical analysis of the results of the closed questions is done quickly. This is not the case with open questions, whose answers require investing more time in analysis.

Collection object

Closed questions are generally used to collect data. Instead, open-ended questions often gather opinions.

School evaluations

In school assessments, answers to closed questions are easier to be copied between students. When it comes to open questions, each answer will be different and authentic, since it requires significant development.

Likewise, when closed questions are used, the grade assigned by the teacher will be objective since there will only be one correct answer. When considering open questions, the rating may be subjective.

Examples

Dichotomous questions

-Do you plan to vote in the next elections?

Possible answers: "yes" or "no".

-Would you recommend Vodafone to a friend?

Possible answers: "yes" or "no".

- Is Madrid the capital of Spain?

Possible answers: "true" or "false".

- Did the Berlin Wall fall in 1989?

Possible answers: "true" or "false".

-Would you like to see the same time in Spain throughout the year?

Possible answers: "yes" or "no".

Polytomous questions

-Did you like the last amendment made to the Constitution?

Possible answers: "yes", "no" or "I am indifferent".

- Do you want to play football with me?

Possible answers: "yes", "no" or "I don't know how to play".

-Will you attend the next edition of Primavera Sound?

Possible answers: "yes", "no" or "I don't know".

-Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?

Possible answers: "beach", "mountain" or "none".

-If the ultra-right won in Spain, would you consider the possibility of emigrating?

Possible answers: "yes", "no" or "I don't know".

Multiple choice questions

- How often do you usually travel?

Possible answers: "1 time a month", "every 3 months", "every 6 months", 1 time a year "or" I do not travel ".

-Which of these Netflix original series is your favorite?

Possible answers: "Narcos", "La casa de papel", "OA", "Stranger things", "The sinner", "Black mirror", "Orange is the new black", "House of cards" or "I don't see series ".

-Who wrote 100 years of solitude?

Possible answers: "Mario Vargas Llosa", "Gabriel García Márquez", "Arturo Uslar Pietri", "Miguel de Cervantes" or "Paulo Coelho".

-How often do you go to the movies?

Possible answers: "1 time a month", "every 3 months", "every 6 months", 1 time a year "or" I don't go to the movies ".

-How many people are you financially dependent on?

Possible answers: "0", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5" or "more than 5".

Ranking questions or rating scale

-After your visit to our hotel facilities, please rate the attention given by our staff from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest rating and 5 being the highest

-Rate the following leisure activities, 1 being the one you like the least and 5 the one you like the most.

Possible answers: "go to the beach", "go to the movies", "go out with friends", "travel", "night out" or "go to concerts".

-Rate from 1 to 5 the following types of food, with 1 being the one you like the least and 5 the one you like the most.

Possible answers: "Mexican", "Peruvian", "Thai", "Japanese" or "Italian".

-What do you think an employee values ​​the most within the company? Rate from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least value and 5 the most.

Possible answers: "salary", "work hours", "location", "non-salary benefits" or "work environment".

-Which of the following personality attributes do you consider a good worker to have? Please rate from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least important and 10 being the most important.

Possible answers: "punctuality", "teamwork", "sense of belonging", "efficiency", "responsibility", "decisive character", "leadership", "companionship", "order" or "ability to work under pressure ”.

References

1. Álvarez Esteba, Ramón. “The open and closed response questions in the questionnaires. Statistical analysis of information ”(2003). In Survey Methodology ISSN: 1575-7803 Vol. 5, No. 1. Retrieved on April 26, 2019 from: sociocav.usal.es
2. O'Leary, Jessica and Israel, Glenn. "The Savvy Survey # 6c: Constructing Closed-Ended Items for a Questionnaire" (2014). Retrieved on April 26, 2019 from: edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
3. López Roldan, Pedro & Fachelli Sandra. "Methodology of quantitative social research" (2016). At the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Retrieved on April 26, 2019 from: ddd.uab.cat
4. Van de Velde, Herman. "Learn to ask, ask to learn" (2014). Retrieved on April 26, 2019 from: upf.edu
5. Corral, Yadira. "Design of questionnaires for data collection" (2004). In education science magazine, Second Stage / Year 2010 / Vol. 20 / No. 36. Retrieved on April 26, 2019 from: uc.edu.ve