Open-ended question
Also called: Unstructured question · Topic: Economic Data: Census, NSS, Surveys and Statistical Tools · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Collection of Data"
Meaning
An open-ended question lets the respondent answer in their own words. No answer options are given. It gives rich, detailed answers, but the replies are hard to interpret, score and code. It works best in a personal interview, where the interviewer can probe further.
Example
"What is your view on globalisation?" Each respondent writes or speaks a different answer, and the researcher must later sort these answers into groups.
Don't confuse with
- Closed-ended question (structured): this kind offers fixed choices, either yes/no or multiple choice, often with an "Any other (specify)" option. It is easy to score but may not capture the true answer.
Related concepts
- Primary data
- Secondary data
- Survey
- Variable
- Observation
- Questionnaire
- Enumerator
- Informant
- Closed-ended question
- Leading question