Closed questions characteristics and examples

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Sherman Hoover

The closed questions are those that are raised in such a way that the person surveyed or questioned must respond based on a series of options presented by the interviewer, interviewer or questioner. 

These types of questions can be answered in monosyllables. Examples of closed questions are: Do you have a partner? What day did you have the physics exam? Have you already prepared lunch? What is your favorite country??

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

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

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

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

Article index

  • 1 Characteristics of closed questions
  • 2 Types of closed questions
    • 2.1 Dichotomous questions
    • 2.2 Polytomous questions
    • 2.3 Multiple choice questions
    • 2.4 Ranking questions or rating scale
  • 3 Differences with open questions
    • 3.1 Initial word
    • 3.2 Response size
    • 3.3 Objectivity
    • 3.4 Quantification
    • 3.5 Delimitation
    • 3.6 Level of detail
    • 3.7 Speed
    • 3.8 Statistical analysis
    • 3.9 Collection object
    • 3.10 School evaluations
  • 4 Examples of closed questions
    • 4.1 Dichotomous questions
    • 4.2 Polytomous questions
    • 4.3 Multiple choice questions
    • 4.4 Ranking questions or rating scale
  • 5 Topics of interest
  • 6 References

Characteristics of closed questions

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

-Are answered with few words.

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

-Answers are easy to quantify.

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

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

Types of closed questions

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 that are used to rate online purchases.

Differences with open questions

Initial word

Closed questions usually start with "what," where, or "when." Instead, open-ended questions begin 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 little 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. Instead, when faced with 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 detail about what is being asked.

Speed

Closed questions are answered quickly. On the other hand, open questions usually require more time 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 of 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 collect 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, as 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 open questions are considered, the rating can be subjective..

Examples of closed questions

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 is the capital of Spain?

Possible answers: "true" or "false".

- Did the Berlin Wall fall in 1989?

Possible answers: "true" or "false".

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

Possible answers: "yes" or "no".

Polytomous questions

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

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

-Do you wanna 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".

-Should the ultra-right win in Spain, would you consider 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 loneliness?

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?

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

Ranking questions or rating scale

-After visiting 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.

-Please rate the following leisure activities, with 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", "nights out" or "go to concerts".

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

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

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

Themes of interest

Open questions.

Rhetorical questions.

Kind of questions.

References

  1. Álvarez Esteba, Ramón. “The open and closed response questions in the questionnaires. Statistical analysis of the 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

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