Advantages and Disadvantages of Open and Closed Questions:

Advantages of Closed Ended

• it is easier and quicker for respondents to answer
• the answers of different respondents are easier to compare
• answers are easier to code and statistically analyse
• the response choices can clarify question meaning for respondents
• respondents are more likely to answer about sensitive topics
• there are fewer irrelevant or confused answers to questions
• less articulate or less literate respondents are not at a disadvantage
• replication is easier

Disadvantages of Closed Ended

• they can suggest ideas that the respondent would not otherwise have
• respondents with no opinion or no knowledge can answer anyway
• respondents can be frustrated because their desired answer is not a choice
• it is confusing if many response choices are offered
• misinterpretation of a question can go unnoticed
• distinctions between respondent answers may be blurred
• clerical mistakes or marking the wrong response is possible
• they force respondents to give simplistic responses to complex issues
• they force people to make choices they would not make in the real world

Advantages of Open

• they permit an unlimited number of possible answers.
• respondents can answer in detail and can qualify and clarify responses
• unanticipated findings can be discovered
• they permit adequate answers to complex issues
• they permit creativity, self-expression, and richness of detail
• they reveal a respondent’s logic, thinking process, and frame of reference

Disadvantages of Open

• different respondents give different degrees of detail in answers
• responses may be irrelevant or buried in useless detail
• comparisons and statistical analysis become difficult
• coding responses is difficult· articulate and highly literate respondents have an advantage
• questions may be too general for respondents who lose direction
• a greater amount of respondent time, thought, and effort is necessary
• respondents can be intimidated by questions
• answers take up a lot of space in the questionare.