1Types of questioning

Some types of questioning are superior to others in certain contexts:

Open versus Closed Questions• Openness implies freedom of answer• What are your favourite hobbies?• Closed questions restrict freedom of answer to a yes or no

response.• Do you like to play Tennis?• To answer effectively, you must respond appropriately to

the degree of freedom with which the question was asked. If the question is very open, you should talk in length for your response.

Factual versus Opinion Questions• Factual questions are used to ascertain fact e.g. What did

you have for breakfast this morning?• An opinion question aims to get one’s view on something

e.g. What is your favourite breakfast food?

2Types of questioning

Neutral versus Biased Questions• A neutral question allows you to answer it in any way you like.• Example: How do you feel about this class?• A biased question is worded in such a way that you are being told

implicitly how to answer the question.• Example: You must really like this class, don’t you?• If you answer a biased question in a way that is unexpected to the

interviewee you should explain why.• Example: Sometimes I like this class, but some of the content gets

a little boring.

Primary versus Secondary Questions• A primary question introduces a topic• Example: What are you studying at university?• A secondary question clarifies points about the primary question

that needs to be explored.• It helps mends vagueness and inaccuracies• It also keeps interviewees from going on tangents• Example: What are your favourite subjects at university ?etc.

3Types of questioning

Direct versus Indirect Questions• A direct question is a straightforward question that asks directly

and explicitly. It is often a closed question. Example: Do you understand?

• Often it is too easy to say ‘yes’ without explaining exactly which areas were little complicated.

• An indirect questions goes into more depth by asking a question in a more implicit way.

• Example: Suppose you had to teach me this topic, what areas would you highlight? From this question the interviewer can get an idea of what exactly the interviewee has understood

Hypothetical Questions• These questions ask an interviewee to ponder “What if?”

scenarios.• Enables the interviewer to gain information from the interviewee.• Learning how people will respond to certain situations.

4Types of questioning

Leading Questions• Like biased questions, these questions lead the

interviewee to answer in a particular way.• Example: I came across an idea for our group

assignment. It looks so good. What do you think?

Slides 1-4 were adapted from DeVito, J., O’Rourke, S., & O’Neill, L. (2000). Human Communication: The New Zealand edition. Pearson:

Auckland.

5Questioning exercise

Choose one person in the classroom whom you will ask the question “How did you get to where you are

today?”.

Prepare a list of eight questions, the answers to which will help you to discover the specific information

desired.

You may not use the question: “How did you get to where you are today?”

Write next to each question what type (s) it is. A question can often fit into more than one category.

Now interview this person.

6What is an interview?

An interview is:

“A particular form of interpersonal communication in which two persons

interact largely by question-and-answer format for the purpose of

achieving specific goals”

DeVito, J. (1997). Human communication: The basic course. New York : Longman. p. 356

7Types of interviews

The Persuasive Interview• The aim of this type of interview is to change a person’s

attitude or belief about something; to invoke action• One example is buying a new car. This dialogue between

two people is based around questions and answers that aim to persuade.

• Information gathering and persuading go hand in hand on many occasions

The Appraisal Interview• The interviewee is assessed by higher management or

colleagues to track their progress in an organisation.• Good chance for the interviewee (or employee) to track

their own progress

The Disciplinary Interview• Similar to the appraisal interview• Used as a mechanism to correct poor performance• May start off with a simple warning interview and can

escalate to lengthy in- depth interviews.

8Types of interviews

The Exit Interview• Used internationally• If an employee leaves an organisation voluntarily, it is beneficial

to the company to know why this person has left because a good employee structure is imperative to a good organisation.

• Also a good way to make an employee, who is leaving, feel validated about their time in the organisation

The Counselling Interview• Used to give support• General assistance to people to overcome their problems• The counsellor must take time to get to know their client

(interviewee), therefore in depth question and answer time is needed.

• Persuasion is used to help a person to change detrimental behaviours or attitudes e.g. self esteem

9Types of interviews

The Information Interview• The purpose of this interview is for the interviewer to learn as

much as possible about the interviewee.• Usually the interviewee is someone famous• Often seen in the media

The Employment Interview• Job interviews • Employers ask questions in order to see if the candidate is

suitable for the job

Slides 7-9 were adapted from DeVito, J., O’Rourke, S., & O’Neill, L. (2000). Human Communication: The New Zealand edition. Pearson: Auckland.