Open and closed questions
Questionnaires can be designed using open and closed questions.
Generally, closed questions either have a Yes or No answer or an answer with a precise response.
Example:
- Did you go to the cinema this weekend? Yes or no
- How many times have you been to the cinema in the last month? # many times
Open questions are designed to obtain people’s opinions and usually require a longer response.
Example:
- What do you think of the range of refreshments available at your local cinema?
- What did you think about the last film you saw at your local cinema?
Obviously, it is easier to record information obtained from closed questions than it is from open questions. Remember this when you design questionnaires!