1 Types of questioning

1. 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?

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.