Choosing the Right Questions for Your Survey: Close vs Open

Choosing the Right Questions for Your Survey: Close vs Open💭️📊️📝️

Surveys are an effective tool for collecting valuable data about your audience or customers. However, it's essential to design your questions correctly and according to your goal.

You will have to make a decision on the type of questions you should include in your survey. There are two basic types of questions: close (structured) questions and open (non-structured) questions.

Close Questions (Structured)🔄️📋️

Close questions have one possible answer or limited options to answer. For example, 'What mobile devices do you own?' with potential answers like 'mobile phone', 'laptop', and 'tablet'. It's important to cover all possible options.If it's impossible to list all the options, add an option called 'Other'.Answers should be unique and not overlap.

Open Questions (Non-Structured)💭️📝️

Open questions allow respondents to type any answer in a free space. For example, 'What is your opinion about mobile shopping?'These questions require more time to answer and the answers are longer.

When to Use Each Type of Question🔄️🤔

Close questions are best when you have knowledge about the topic you want to analyze and what answers you would like to collect. Open questions are best when you're still exploring the topic.

Close questions are faster and easier to answer, while open questions require more effort.

Benefits and Challenges🔄️🤔

Data collected from close questions is easier to analyze, but open questions can help discover new ideas or aspects you haven't considered.Many data analysis methods require data collected from closed questions.

In our mobile shopping case study, we will use only closed questions because we have a good understanding of the topic and know exactly what answers we need.

FAQ🔄️🤔

1. When should I use close questions in my survey?Use close questions when you have knowledge about the topic you want to analyze, and when you know the specific answers you need.
2. What are some examples of open questions?Examples include 'What is your opinion about mobile shopping?' or 'Describe your typical day'.
3. Is it possible to combine close and open questions in a survey?Yes, you can mix both types of questions in a survey. However, make sure the order is logical and that the close questions come first.
4. How long should my survey be?Aim for 10-20 minutes total time to complete the survey. Make sure each question is necessary and clear.
5. Can I use multiple choice questions as open questions?*No, a multiple choice question is a type of close question, with predefined options for respondents to choose from.