Open-ended questions are best described as

• A. They require a yes or no answer
• B. They encourage detailed responses
• C. They can only be used in written interviews
• D. They are always closed-ended

Answer: (B)

Open-ended questions invite the respondent to provide more than a yes or no answer, prompting explanation, description, and reasoning. Because they require elaboration, they naturally yield detailed responses, helping you gain richer information and insight. They aren’t limited to any single format; you can use them in both spoken and written interviews, and they are not inherently closed-ended. That’s why they’re best described as encouraging detailed responses.