Different types of questions

- Although the reasons for asking questions are vast and varied, the information we receive back, i.e., the answer, it will depend very much on the types of questions you ask. There is a time and a place for different kinds of questions and understanding the key differences of each type is critical to ensure you're receiving the information you need. There are typically five types of questions, closed, open, leading or loaded questions, recall and process questions, and rhetorical questions. Closed questions are usually easy to answer. As a choice of answers, typically a yes or no, depending on the question. For example, did you get the assignment done? Sometimes closed questions require that a choice is made from a list of possible options. For example, would you prefer to take a break for lunch or keep working and have lunch ordered in? Closed questions have the following characteristics. They give you facts, they're easy to answer, they're quick to answer, they keep control of the conversation with the questioner. Now consider using closed questions in the following situations, as opening questions in a conversation, as it makes it easy for the other person to answer and it doesn't force them to reveal too much about themselves, for testing their understanding, this is also a great way to break into a long ramble, for setting up a desired positive or negative frame of mind in them, ask successive questions with obvious answers, either yes or no. For example, are you happy with your current manager? Are they giving you what you need? Do you need any additional resources? In contrast to closed questions, open questions allow for a much longer response and therefore potentially more creativity from you and more information from the one you're asking. There are a lot of different types of open questions and some are more open than others. Open questions have the following characteristics. They ask the respondent to think and reflect, they'll give you opinions and feelings, they hand control of the conversation to the respondent. Now consider using closed questions in the following situations, as a follow on from closed questions to develop a conversation and open up someone who's rather quiet, to find out more about a person, their wants, needs, and problems, and so on, to get people to realize the extent of their problems and broaden their perspective. Next are leading or loaded questions. A leading question, usually subtle, points the respondent's answer in a certain direction. For example, asking an employee, how are you getting on with the new learning management system? This question prompts the person to think about how their managing with the new system at work. In a very subtle way, it raises the prospect that maybe they're not finding the new system so good. Another example, outside of the work place, something a parent might ask like did you have a good day at school points the child towards thinking about good things that happened at school. By asking how was your school today, you're not asking for any judgment about how good or bad the day was, but you're moving more likely to a balanced, more accurate answer. Recall and process questions, questions can also be categorized by whether they are recall, requiring something to be remembered or recalled or a process requiring something deeper, a thought or some type of analysis. A simple recall question could be what is your boss' first name? This requires the respondent to recall some information, a memory or some fact. Process questions require more thought and analysis and/or sharing of opinion. For example, a recruiter may ask, what skills can you bring to this organization that the other applicant can not? Rhetorical questions. Finally, rhetorical questions. Rhetorical questions are often humorous, they don't require an answer. They're often used by speakers in presentations to get the audience to think. Rhetorical questions are by design used to promote thought while having our brains do what they're programmed to do, to think and to keep us engaged. Check out the hand out, different types of questions, for more information about the question types, how you can transform questions, and the potential answers to those questions.