EAPP 11 - Activity No.

2
Kindly explain the uses of closed, open and contingency questions.

Closed Questions: Closed questions are those that can be answered with a simple
"yes" or "no" or with a specific piece of information. They restrict the respondent's answer to a
limited set of options or a specific response. These questions are useful in situations where you want
to obtain precise information or confirm a particular fact. Some common uses of closed questions
include:

- Gathering specific data: Closed questions allow you to collect specific data points or statistical
information efficiently. For example, "Have you visited our store before?" or "Did you vote in the last
election?"

- Narrowing down options: Closed questions can be useful when you want to narrow down options or
make a decision. For instance, "Do you prefer option A or option B?" or "Would you like tea or
coffee?"

- Clarifying information: Closed questions are effective for seeking clarification on a particular detail.
For example, "Did you mean to say the meeting is at 2 p.m.?" or "Is your address 123 Main Street?"

Open Questions: Open questions encourage respondents to provide detailed and

unrestricted answers. These questions cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" and instead
require the respondent to provide more elaborate responses. Open questions are useful for gathering
opinions, exploring perspectives, and obtaining in-depth information. Some common uses of open
questions include:

- Gathering opinions and feedback: Open questions allow respondents to express their thoughts and
opinions freely. For instance, "What are your thoughts on the new company policy?" or "How do you
feel about the recent changes in the project?"

- Exploring experiences and perspectives: Open questions help you understand someone's
experiences or viewpoints in more depth. For example, "Can you tell me about your most memorable
travel experience?" or "How do you think this decision will impact our team?"

- Stimulating discussion: Open questions are effective for generating discussion and encouraging
dialogue. They allow people to share ideas and contribute to a conversation. For instance, "What are
some possible solutions to the current problem?" or "How can we improve customer satisfaction?"

Contingency Questions: Contingency questions are used when you want to

probe further or seek additional information based on a respondent's previous answer. These
questions are contingent upon the previous response and are designed to clarify or explore a specific
aspect related to it. Contingency questions are particularly useful in interviews and surveys to delve
deeper into specific areas. Here's an example:

- Initial question: "Have you used our product before?"

Contingency question based on response: "If yes, could you please tell us about your experience with
the product?"

- Contingency questions allow you to follow up on specific details or explore certain topics based on
the information provided by the respondent.

- Overall, understanding when to use closed, open, and contingency questions can help you effectively
gather information, elicit detailed responses, and explore different perspectives in various
communication and research contexts.