An example of an open-ended question
It should be noted that open-ended questions should be asked after considerable deliberation since they tend to reveal excessive information about the respondent. In addition, the question posed should bear relevance to the topic being pursued. In a bid, to establish a rapport with a client, I would ask him, or her to brief me about the goings-on in his or her life.
Circumstances that require open-ended questions
Open-ended questions are beneficial to counselors whenever clients are required to provide an elaborate response to a question they have been asked. This is because they provide complicated and in-depth answers to queries that are raised during interactive sessions. Most importantly, this variety of questions comes in handy whenever there is a need to create an insight into a predicament by probing deeper into client concerns.
Consequently, such questions are best used during therapies and other reflective sessions, whenever a persuasion is a viable option during the process. In addition, clients will be attended to properly only if the service providers understand the issues affecting them in their daily lives. It is commonplace that asking open-ended questions is the best way to establish these truths (Schultz, 2010).
A follow-up question that would add value to a counseling session
It is noteworthy that a person’s life entails diverse and varied aspects that they have to deal with daily. As a result, establishing the root of their afflictions would require additional, further probing into the same matter. Assuming the client had issues at his or her place of work, the ideal follow-up question would require him or her how they feel whenever they discharge their duties at the workplace. This will limit the scope of their answer; while equally allowing them a free hand within the confines of the question to talk about the pressing matters.
An example of a closed-ended question
These questions are used whenever the questioner intends to narrow down a protracted conversation, to get down to a verdict or finale. They may be asked during the initial stages of research sessions to ascertain the credibility and astuteness of respondents, before the commencement of the fact-finding. In case a survey is being carried out; an ideal question would entail establishing if the client required further clarification on the topic. This would influence the action taken by the researcher, whether he will proceed with the session or take some time to clarify matters to the respondent.
Circumstances that require closed-ended questions
It has been established that closed-ended questions are often used whenever a ‘yes’ or ’no’ response is required. This is because the nature of the question is restrictive, hence prohibiting the respondent from providing further information. It should be noted that most respondents opt to abstain from issuing additional information whenever they are asked such a question (James, 2008).
In addition, these questions often appear to lead the respondent, since one of the possible answers is always mentioned in the query (Bradburn, Sudman & Wansik, 2004). This may affect the integrity of the response issued, subsequently interfering with the entire process. This serves to highlight the importance of these questions when verifying facts that have been reported with regards to a topic of concern.
Adding value to a counseling session through a follow-up question
Assuming the client required clarification about the research topic and the interviewer had responded accordingly, establishing whether the respondent could field the questions is mandatory. In a counseling session, a proper follow-up question could seek to establish, if the respondent was in a position, to proceed with the session, or not. This will enable the counselor to determine a suitable course of action to pursue. If the client is at ease, the session may proceed as intended. In case the client is still uncomfortable; the counselor may find suitable methods of making them relax before proceeding with that session.
References
Bradburn, N., Sudman, S & Wansik, B. (2004). Asking Questions: the definitive guide to questionnaire design: for market research, political polls, and social and health questionnaires. California, CA: John Wiley and Sons.
James, R. (2008). Crisis intervention strategies. New Jersey, NJ: Cengage Learning.
Schultz, M. (2010). Open Ended Questions for Your Prospects and Customers. Sales marks. Web.