Closed-Ended Questions: Definition, Types & Examples

Embark on a journey of structured inquiry with the illuminating guide to “Closed-Ended Questions Examples”.

In the landscape of survey creation and data collection, closed-ended questionnaires serve as confident architects, providing a clear and efficient path to gathering specific responses.

Think of closed-ended questions as the sprinters of the survey world – quick, snappy, and laser-focused. Like a well-orchestrated symphony, they cut through the noise, sparing respondents the agony of lengthy musings.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re tired of long-winded responses and yearn for efficiency.

Here, we’ll explore various closed-ended question examples suitable for your surveys. These examples encompass a variety of domains, including customer satisfaction, market research, employee feedback, and more.

Ultimately, you will create well-structured and efficient surveys that yield valuable insights.

This article is your gateway to understanding the power of closed-ended questions through diverse examples, where each query is designed with purpose and precision.

Table of Contents:

1. What are Closed-Ended Questions?
2. When to Use Closed-Ended Questions?
3. Types of Closed-Ended Questions with Examples
4. Purpose of Using Closed-Ended Survey Questions
5. 16 Best Closed-Ended Questions Examples
6. How to Craft a Closed-Ended Questionnaire?
7. How to Examine Closed-Ended Questions?
8. Tips for Using Closed-Ended Questions
9. Advantages of Closed-Ended Questions
10. Disadvantages of Closed-Ended Questions
11. Wrap Up

What are Closed-Ended Questions?

Definition: Closed-ended questions are a type of survey question or interview questions that offer predefined answer options. They limit respondents to choose from specific responses, such as “yes” or “no,” multiple-choice options, or rating scales. These questions are designed to elicit quick and concise answers, making data analysis more straightforward and efficient.

When to Use Closed-Ended Questions?

Closed-ended questions are well-suited for various situations and research scenarios due to their structured and objective nature. Here are some of the scenarios on when to use closed-ended questions:

1. Surveys with large sample sizes: Closed-ended questions are ideal for surveys involving many respondents. They simplify survey data collection and analysis processes, making managing and interpreting responses from a large population easier.
2. Quantitative research: If your study aims to gather numerical data and statistical insights, closed-ended questions are the way to go. The predefined response options allow for easy quantification and analysis of the data. Consequently, it enables you to identify trends and patterns efficiently.
3. Objective data collection: Closed-ended questions are advantageous when seeking factual and objective information. Providing set response choices minimizes the risk of subjective interpretations, ensuring consistency in data collection.
4. Comparison and ranking: Closed-ended questions are valuable for comparative analyses. They facilitate straightforward data organization and comparison. For instance, when asking participants to rank their preferences or compare various options.
5. Limited response options: When you limit respondents’ answers to specific choices, closed-ended questions are the obvious choice. They ensure respondents choose from the available options, avoiding ambiguous or open-ended responses.

Types of Closed-Ended Questions with Examples

In survey research, closed-ended questionnaires, presenting predefined response choices, are commonly utilized. They are structured and efficient for gathering specific information. Below are different classifications of closed-ended questionnaire types:

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Survey takers opt from a prearranged list of choices.
Example: “Which of the following social media platforms do you use?

Likert Scale Questions

Rate your level of alignment or dissent with the presented statement.
Example: Kindly indicate your degree of agreement or disagreement regarding the quality of service received.

• • Strongly Agree
  • Agree
  • Neutral
  • Disagree
  • Strongly Disagree”

  Semantic Differential Scale Questions

  Respondents rate something on a scale between two polar adjectives.
  Example: “Please rate the quality of the product:
  Excellent [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Poor”

  Dichotomous Questions

  Queries typically offer binary choices, often between ‘affirmative’ and ‘negative’.
  Example: “Have you purchased our product in the last six months?

  Ranking Questions

  Respondents rank options in order of preference.
  Example: “Please rank the following factors in order of importance when choosing a smartphone:

  • • Battery Life
    • Camera Quality
    • Price
    • Brand Reputation”

    Checklist Questions

    Respondents select multiple options from a list.
    Example: “Please select all the items you purchased in the last month:

    Numeric Response Questions

    Respondents provide a numerical response.
    Example: “Please indicate your daily social media usage by selecting the appropriate time frame:”

    Purpose of Using Closed-Ended Survey Questions

    Why closed-ended questions?

    1. Standardization: Closed-ended questions provide a structured format with predetermined answer options. This uniformity ensures that all respondents are presented with the same choices. As a result, it eliminates ambiguity and potential bias in the data collection process. Consequently, it makes it easier to compare and interpret responses.
    2. Quantitative data: Closed-ended questions typically involve numerical scales or multiple-choice options. Thus, the data collected is quantitative. As a result, the responses can be easily quantified, measured, and analyzed statistically.
    3. Ease of response: Respondents find closed-ended questions easy to answer as they don’t require lengthy explanations or open-ended responses. This simplicity encourages higher response rates and reduces the risk of participants skipping questions.
    4. Comparability: Closed-ended questions enable straightforward comparisons between different respondents or groups. With standardized response options, you can directly compare how different population segments feel or think. As a result, this comparability aids in drawing meaningful conclusions and identifying significant differences.
    5. Efficient analysis: The structured nature of closed-ended questions streamlines the data analysis process. You can quickly categorize and quantify the responses, making spotting patterns and drawing conclusions easier. Moreover, this efficiency saves time and resources for researchers.

    16 Best Closed-Ended Questions Examples

    Unlock the power of precision as you capture laser-focused responses with these closed-ended question examples.

    • How satisfied are you with our product/service?
      • Very satisfied
      • Satisfied
      • Neutral
      • Dissatisfied
      • Very dissatisfied
      • Yes
      • No
      • Not likely at all
      • Unlikely
      • Neutral
      • Likely
      • Very likely
      • Very satisfied
      • Satisfied
      • Neutral
      • Dissatisfied
      • Very dissatisfied
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • Other
      • 0 times
      • 1-2 times
      • 3-4 times
      • 5 or more times
      • Yes
      • No
      • Under 18
      • 18-30
      • 31-45
      • 46-60
      • 61+
      • Yes, very satisfied
      • Yes, somewhat satisfied
      • No, somewhat dissatisfied
      • No, very dissatisfied
      • Less than 6 months
      • 6 months-12 months
      • More than 1 year
      • More than 2 years
      • Which social media platform do you use the most?
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • Twitter
        • LinkedIn
        • TikTok
        • Yes
        • No
        • Very satisfied
        • Satisfied
        • Neutral
        • Dissatisfied
        • Very dissatisfied
        • TV advertisement
        • Social media
        • Word of mouth
        • Online search
        • Print media
        • Daily
        • Weekly
        • Monthly
        • Occasionally
        • Never used
        • Phone
        • Email
        • Live chat
        • In-person visit
        • Self-help documentation

        How to Craft a Closed-Ended Questionnaire?

        Let’s say you want to conduct a customer satisfaction survey for a footwear brand. You want your survey to include the closed-ended survey questions below.

        • How satisfied are you with the style and design of the footwear?
        • How satisfied are you with the fit and size options available for the footwear?
        • How satisfied are you with the value for money offered by the footwear?

        Below are the response options associated with each question:

        1. Extremely Dissatisfied
        2. Dissatisfied
        3. Neutral
        4. Satisfied
        5. Extremely Satisfied

        Follow the steps below to create a survey using Google Forms.

        • Open Google Forms and sign in with your Google account.
        • Click the “Blank” button to create a new form.

        

        • Give your form a title and description that reflects your brand or purpose.
        • Choose the type of question you want to use, such as multiple-choice, checkbox, or short answer.
        • Type your question in the “Untitled Question” section for multiple-choice questions. Then write “Option 1” and choose “Add option” for more options.

        

        • You can customize the look and feel of your survey to match your brand or theme.
        • Preview the form before sharing it with your target audience.
        • Click the share button to distribute it to your target audience.

        

        • Once you collect enough responses, click the “Link to Sheets” button.

        

        • Download the responses as a .csv file from the drop-down menu.

        

        How to Examine Closed-Ended Questions?

        Excel is undoubtedly a popular choice for data analysis, offering many features and functionalities. However, when it comes to visualizing large datasets, Excel has its limitations.

        With overwhelming data, creating data visualizations conveying the key insights becomes increasingly challenging.

        That’s where ChartExpo comes in.

        ChartExpo seamlessly integrates with Excel, providing a user-friendly interface and a wide array of visualization options. With ChartExpo, you can transform raw data into stunning visual representations, making data presentation and analysis easier.

        Let’s learn how to Install ChartExpo in Excel.

        1. Open your Excel application.
        2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
        3. You’ll see the “My Apps” option.
        4. In the office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
        5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

        ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTA’s to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

        

        Example #1

        Assume your closed-ended survey yields the data table below.

        Timestamp	How satisfied are you with the style and design of the footwear?	How satisfied are you with the fit and size options available for the footwear?	How satisfied are you with the value for money offered by the footwear?
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Extremely Dissatisfied	Neutral	Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Extremely Dissatisfied	Satisfied	Neutral
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Extremely Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Neutral	Extremely Satisfied	Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Extremely Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Neutral
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Dissatisfied	Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Neutral	Extremely Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:33	Extremely Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:34	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:35	Extremely Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:36	Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied	Extremely Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:37	Neutral	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:38	Neutral	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:39	Satisfied	Satisfied	Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:40	Satisfied	Satisfied	Neutral
        10-13-2023 17:47:41	Extremely Dissatisfied	Extremely Satisfied	Dissatisfied
        10-13-2023 17:47:42	Satisfied	Extremely Dissatisfied	Neutral

        This table contains example data. Expect many responses and questions in real life.

        • To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
        • Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.

        

        

        • Once it loads, choose the “Likert Scale Chart” from the charts list.

        

        • Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

        

        • When you click the “Create Chart From Selection” button, you have to map responses with numbers manually. The Likert scale has this arrangement:
        • • Extremely Dissatisfied = 1
          • Dissatisfied = 2
          • Neutral = 3
          • Satisfied = 4
          • Extremely Satisfied = 5

          

          • ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

          

          • If you want to have the chart’s title, click Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
          • Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to change the title.
          • It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show.
          • Give the appropriate title of your chart and click the Apply button.

          

          • Let’s say you want to add text responses instead of numbers against every emoji.
          • Click the pencil icon next to the respective emoji. Expand the “Label” properties and write the required text. Then click the “Apply All” button.
          • Click the “Save Changes” button to persist the changes.

          

          • Your final chart will appear below.

          

          

          Insights

          • 40% of customers express satisfaction with the style and design of the footwear. 45% express dissatisfaction and 15% remain neutral.
          • 40% are satisfied with the fit and size options available for the footwear, while 50% are dissatisfied.
          • 40% are satisfied with the value for money the footwear offers, with 40% expressing dissatisfaction.
          • Overall;
            • 40% of customers report being satisfied with the footwear, with 20% extremely satisfied.
            • 45% of customers report dissatisfaction, with 25% extremely dissatisfied
            • 15% remain neutral.

            Example #2

            Let’s say you manage a school. You want to gather feedback from students on various issues like the quality of teaching. You have created a survey with the closed-ended questionnaire below;

            • How satisfied are you with the quality of teaching?
            • How satisfied are you with the academic resources?
            • How satisfied are you with the administrative services?
            • How satisfied are you with the availability of extracurricular activities?

            Students respond to each question using the response scale below.

            1. Frustrated
            2. Dissatisfied
            3. Neutral
            4. Satisfied
            5. Delighted

            Assume your survey yields the data table below.

            Timestamp	How satisfied are you with the quality of teaching?	How satisfied are you with the academic resources?	How satisfied are you with the administrative services?	How satisfied are you with the availability of extracurricular activities?
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Neutral	Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Delighted	Delighted	Frustrated	Neutral
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Dissatisfied	Delighted	Dissatisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Delighted	Delighted	Delighted	Satisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Neutral	Satisfied	Neutral	Satisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Neutral	Delighted	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Delighted	Frustrated	Delighted	Frustrated
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Dissatisfied	Delighted	Delighted	Satisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Frustrated	Neutral	Satisfied	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Satisfied	Satisfied	Satisfied	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:33	Delighted	Satisfied	Frustrated	Satisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:34	Satisfied	Frustrated	Dissatisfied	Frustrated
            10-13-2023 17:47:35	Satisfied	Satisfied	Neutral	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:36	Delighted	Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:37	Dissatisfied	Frustrated	Delighted	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:38	Delighted	Dissatisfied	Satisfied	Frustrated
            10-13-2023 17:47:39	Delighted	Neutral	Frustrated	Satisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:40	Neutral	Dissatisfied	Frustrated	Delighted
            10-13-2023 17:47:41	Dissatisfied	Delighted	Dissatisfied	Satisfied
            10-13-2023 17:47:42	Satisfied	Neutral	Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied

            This table contains example data. Expect many responses and questions in real life.

            • To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
            • Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.

            

            

            • Once it loads, choose the “Likert Scale Chart” from the charts list.

            

            • Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

            

            • When you click the “Create Chart From Selection” button, you have to map responses with numbers manually. The Likert scale has this arrangement:
            • • Frustrated = 1
              • Dissatisfied = 2
              • Neutral = 3
              • Satisfied = 4
              • Delighted = 5

              

              • ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

              

              • If you want to have the chart’s title, click Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
              • Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to change the title.
              • It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show.
              • Give the appropriate title of your chart and click the Apply button.

              

              • Let’s say you want to add text responses instead of numbers against every emoji.
              • Click the pencil icon next to the respective emoji. Expand the “Label” properties and write the required text. Then click the “Apply All” button.
              • Click the “Save Changes” button to persist the changes.

              

              • Your final chart will appear below.

              

              

              Insights

              • 35% of students expressed their delight with the quality of teaching, while 30% indicated satisfaction. On the other hand, 15% were dissatisfied, 5% frustrated, and 15% neutral.
              • Regarding academic resources, 40% were content, while 25% expressed dissatisfaction and 15% were frustrated.
              • Regarding administrative services, 30% were delighted, while 20% were frustrated.
              • Regarding extracurricular activities, 70% expressed gratification, while 25% felt unhappy.
              • Overall;
                • 31% of students reported being delighted with school.
                • 24% expressed satisfaction.
                • 14% felt frustrated.
                • 19% were dissatisfied.
                • 13% remained neutral.

                Tips for Using Closed-Ended Questions

                Here are some tips for effectively using closed-ended questions:

                Be Clear and Concise

                Ensure that your closed-ended questions are straightforward to understand, avoiding ambiguity or confusion.

                Use Simple Language

                Keep the language of your questions simple and accessible to all respondents, regardless of their background or education level.

                Limit the Number of Options

                Provide a reasonable number of response options to prevent overwhelming responses and encourage accurate responses.

                Offer Balanced Response Options

                Ensure that the response options provided cover the full range of possible answers without bias or leading the respondent to a specific answer.

                Randomize Response Order

                If relevant, consider shuffling the order of response options to mitigate the possibility of response bias influenced by the presentation order.

                Avoid Double-Barreled Questions

                Each question should address only one specific aspect to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in responses.

                Pilot Test Questions

                Before administering your survey, pilot test your closed-ended questions with a small sample group to identify any potential issues or areas for improvement.

                Consider Using Likert Scales

                Move beyond simple agree/disagree. Likert scales empower respondents. They can choose from a range of options, reflecting their exact level of agreement or disagreement with a statement.

                Keep Response Formats Consistent

                Ensure uniformity in the response format, whether it be checkboxes or radio buttons, to enhance respondent navigation ease.

                Mix Closed-Ended with Open-Ended Questions

                Craft your survey with a mix of question formats! Include closed-ended options for selection and open-ended prompts for elaboration. This approach facilitates a comprehensive analysis by gathering both statistical data and in-depth insights. This approach gathers both numerical data and in-depth responses, providing a clearer picture.

                Advantages of Closed-Ended Questions

                Here are some advantages of using closed-ended questions:

                Efficiency

                Closed-ended questions facilitate swift responses, rendering them effective tools for collecting data from a broad spectrum of respondents.

                Standardization

                Closed-ended questions generate responses that maintain organization and consistency, thereby facilitating analysis and comparison.

                Ease of Analysis

                Closed-ended responses can be easily quantified and analyzed using statistical methods, allowing for straightforward interpretation.

                Reduced Bias

                Closed-ended questions reduce the likelihood of interviewer bias or influence since respondents choose from pre-established options.

                Increased Respondent Comfort

                Respondents may feel more comfortable answering closed-ended questions since they are not required to generate their responses.

                Suitable for Sensitive Topics

                Closed-ended questions prove advantageous in collecting data on sensitive subjects, offering respondents the choice to offer discreet responses.

                Facilitation of Survey Design

                By structuring surveys and questionnaires, closed-ended questions ensure that the data collection process remains clear and coherent.

                Enhanced Data Accuracy

                The provision of specific response options in closed-ended questions helps enhance data accuracy by minimizing the possibility of ambiguous or misunderstood responses.

                Minimized Missing Data

                Closed-ended questions generally necessitate respondents to choose a response, which decreases occurrences of missing data in contrast to open-ended queries.

                Increased Response Rate

                The straightforwardness and conciseness of closed-ended questions can boost response rates as they impose lesser cognitive load on participants.

                Disadvantages of Closed-Ended Questions

                Here are some disadvantages of using closed-ended questions:

                Limited response options

                The finite options presented in closed-ended questions can limit respondents’ ability to convey nuanced or complex perspectives.

                Lack of depth

                Closed-ended questions may yield responses that lack the depth and detail required, thus restricting the richness of the collected data.

                Potential for bias

                The predefined response options in closed-ended questions may reflect the biases or assumptions of the questionnaire designer, leading to biased results.

                Difficulty in capturing unexpected responses

                Closed-ended questions may not capture unexpected or unanticipated responses, potentially overlooking valuable insights.

                FAQs

                What are closed-ended questions?

                Closed-ended questions are a type of survey or interview questions that offer predefined answer options. Respondents choose from specific responses, such as “yes” or “no,” multiple-choice options, or rating scales.

                What are closed-ended questionnaires?

                Closed-ended questionnaires are surveys or data collection instruments primarily composed of closed-ended questions. These questionnaires use specific answer choices, restricting respondents to select from the provided options. As a result, this allows for straightforward data analysis and quantification.

                What are 2 examples of closed-ended questions?

                • Which color do you prefer?
                  • Red
                  • Blue
                  • Very Likely
                  • Somewhat Likely
                  • Not Sure
                  • Somewhat Unlikely
                  • Very Unlikely

                  What is a good example of a closed-ended question?

                  “How likely are you to recommend our product on a scale of 1 to 10?” This closed-ended question quantitatively measures customer satisfaction and the likelihood of a recommendation.

                  Why use closed-ended questions?

                  Closed-ended questions offer standardized data collection, quick analysis, and ease of response. They provide specific answer options, facilitating quantitative data gathering. As a result, they make comparisons between respondents or groups more straightforward.

                  Wrap Up

                  Closed-ended questions serve as powerful allies in the realm of efficient surveys. They streamline data collection by offering predetermined response options, ensuring standardized and concise answers.

                  The closed-ended questionnaire examples above showcase their versatility across various domains. From measuring customer satisfaction and conducting market research to gathering valuable employee feedback. Moreover, the structured nature of closed-ended questions allows for easy categorization and quantification of responses. This makes it easier to analyze the data and draw meaningful conclusions.

                  With a closed-ended questionnaire, you can obtain quantifiable data that simplifies analysis and enables easy comparison between different groups. This approach boosts response rates due to simplicity and expedites the overall research process.

                  When complemented with ChartExpo, the power of closed-ended questionnaires reaches new heights. ChartExpo’s user-friendly interface empowers you to transform survey data into visually stunning and insightful charts effortlessly. This breathes life into closed-ended survey responses, making data interpretation a breeze.

                  Go forth, armed with these examples and ChartExpo, and unlock your surveys’ full potential of closed-ended questions.

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