Types of Questions
- Contingency questions - A question that is answered only if the respondent gives a particular response to a previous question. This avoids asking questions of people that do not apply to them (for example, asking men if they have ever been pregnant).
- Matrix questions - Identical response categories are assigned to multiple questions. The questions are placed one under the other, forming a matrix with response categories along the top and a list of questions down the side. This is an efficient use of page space and respondents’ time.
- Closed ended questions - Respondents’ answers are limited to a fixed set of responses. Most scales are closed ended. Other types of closed ended questions include:
- Yes/no questions - The respondent answers with a "yes" or a "no".
- Multiple choice - The respondent has several option from which to choose.
- Scaled questions - Responses are graded on a continuum (example : rate the appearance of the product on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most preferred appearance). Examples of types of scales include the Likert scale, semantic differential scale, and rank-order scale (See scale for a complete list of scaling techniques.).
- Open ended questions - No options or predefined categories are suggested. The respondent supplies their own answer without being constrained by a fixed set of possible responses. Examples of types of open ended questions include:
- Completely unstructured - For example, "What is your opinion on questionnaires?"
- Word association - Words are presented and the respondent mentions the first word that comes to mind.
- Sentence completion - Respondents complete an incomplete sentence. For example, "The most important consideration in my decision to buy a new house is . . ."
- Story completion - Respondents complete an incomplete story.
- Picture completion - Respondents fill in an empty conversation balloon.
- Thematic apperception test - Respondents explain a picture or make up a story about what they think is happening in the picture
Read more about this topic: Questionnaire Construction
Famous quotes containing the words types of, types and/or questions:
“Our children evaluate themselves based on the opinions we have of them. When we use harsh words, biting comments, and a sarcastic tone of voice, we plant the seeds of self-doubt in their developing minds.... Children who receive a steady diet of these types of messages end up feeling powerless, inadequate, and unimportant. They start to believe that they are bad, and that they can never do enough.”
—Stephanie Martson (20th century)
“The rank and file have let their servants become their masters and dictators.... Provision should be made in all union constitutions for the recall of leaders. Big salaries should not be paid. Career hunters should be driven out, as well as leaders who use labor for political ends. These types are menaces to the advancement of labor.”
—Mother Jones (1830–1930)
“The first questions are always to be asked, and the wisest doctor is gravelled by the inquisitiveness of a child.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)