13 Open-Ended and Closed-Ended Questions
Interviewers and investigators often distinguish between different types of questions. Generally, there questions that invite subjects to “say more” and questions that encourage subjects to “say less.” Questions that encourage subjects to open up and share elaborate, descriptive, information-rich answers are typically called open-ended questions. Questions that seek simple, factual, brief answers are typically called closed-ended questions.
Both types of question have their uses when used strategically.
Open-Ended Questions: Sometimes, a subject knows important details, but doesn’t recognize that they’re important. Sometimes, especially early on in the investigation, even the investigator might not know which facts are negligible and which are indispensible. In these cases, open-ended questions are useful for drawing out information that can go on the record. Encouraging a subject to speak at length can also help put them at ease with the interviewer. This kind of rapport-building is helpful when making a victim or witness feel heard. Building rapport is also helpful in interrogation. The interest and respect that are implied with these kinds of questions are crucial for eliciting a truthful confession from a guilty suspect.
Closed-Ended Questions: There are times where an interviewer needs to take control of the conversation. Sometimes they need to confirm a simple fact to make sure that they heard the subject correctly or that other investigators documented the situation correctly. At other times, the interviewer may simply need to change the pace of the interview. Witnesses or victims may provide long, rambling answers because they feel important when a person of authority is giving them focused attention. Suspects or persons of interest may give long, rambling answers in an effort to distract the interviewer from their suspicion. In any case, interviewers must be able to steer the conversation in a new direction or to simply end a particular line of questioning.
