Lecture Notes #2

6 Question Types by Amy Bonebright

• A good place to begin after researching the subject is to think about what questions you might ask
• Typically 6 different question types you might use in an interview

1. Close ended questions- short answers, yes or no answers. There’s a time for close ended questions to force subjects into a yes or no corner.
2. Open ended questions- lets the interview subject decide what answer to give, answers can go many different ways. Open ended questions are usually best for interviews, especially for people who are not used to being interviewed.
3. Hypothetical questions- set up a situation that could occur and ask the person to respond. Limit use of them for regular interviews. Useful for interviewing presidential candidates to know what they would do in certain situations.
4. Agree of disagree questions- not used frequently, ways to be forward and confrontational while staying tactful.
5. Probing questions- follow up to something that has already been said. While interviewing, stay ready for probing questions that arise on the spur of the moment.
6. Personal questions- difficult to ask, touching on the personal life of the subject, reflecting on a bad memory or a horrific situation. Especially difficult when it involves death. Place personal questions carefully, build a trust relationship with the subject first, use them towards the end of the interview. As Christians, we have a responsibility to show care and concern for all people across the board, no matter what the situation. Write these questions with a gentle tone that still gets to the point.