The Advantages of Open Ended Survey Questions Chattermill from chattermill.com

Open Ended Questions Examples

What are Open Ended Questions?

Open ended questions are questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. They encourage the person you’re speaking to to provide more information, which can help you better understand their point of view. Open ended questions are particularly useful in situations where you want to learn more about someone or something, such as during interviews, conversations, or when researching topics for an article.

Why Use Open Ended Questions?

Open ended questions are useful for a variety of reasons. For one, they can help you gain a better understanding of the person you’re speaking to. This is especially useful when talking to someone you don’t know very well, or when trying to learn more about a particular subject. Additionally, open ended questions can help you uncover more information about a particular topic, which can be useful when conducting research or exploring new ideas. Finally, open ended questions can help you foster more meaningful conversations with the people you come into contact with.

Examples of Open Ended Questions

Questions About a Person's Background

Questions about a person’s background can help you gain a better understanding of who they are and where they come from. Examples of open ended questions in this area include:

What is your family background?
What is the most meaningful experience you’ve had in your life?
How has your upbringing influenced who you are today?
What are your earliest memories?

Questions About a Person's Opinions and Feelings

Questions about a person’s opinions and feelings can help you gain a better understanding of how they think and why they believe the things they do. Examples of open ended questions in this area include:

What do you think should be done about [topic]?
How do you feel about [topic]?
What do you think would be the best course of action in [situation]?
What are your thoughts on [topic]?

Questions About a Person's Experiences

Questions about a person’s experiences can help you gain a better understanding of what they’ve gone through in life. Examples of open ended questions in this area include:

What was the most difficult experience you’ve ever had to go through?
What was the best decision you’ve ever made in your life?
How has your life changed since [event]?
What was the most meaningful moment of your life?

Tips for Asking Open Ended Questions

When asking open ended questions, it’s important to be respectful, patient, and open minded. Additionally, it’s important to avoid leading questions, which are questions that are designed to lead the person you’re speaking to towards a particular answer. Finally, it’s important to be aware of your body language, as this can have a big impact on how the person you’re speaking to perceives your intentions and questions.

Conclusion

Open ended questions can be a useful tool for gaining a better understanding of someone or something. They can help you gain insights into a person’s background, opinions, and experiences, which can be useful in a variety of situations. When asking open ended questions, it’s important to be respectful, patient, and open minded. Additionally, be sure to avoid leading questions, and be aware of your body language.