What distinguishes an open-ended question from a direct question?

Open-ended questions are characterized by their ability to elicit detailed responses, allowing the respondent to share their thoughts, feelings, or experiences in a narrative form. This type of question encourages the individual to provide more comprehensive answers, digging deeper into their reasoning or perspective, as there is no restriction on the format of their response.

In contrast, direct questions tend to be more specific, often leading to straightforward answers that do not require elaboration. They typically guide the respondent toward a limited set of responses, reducing the scope of the reply. By requiring explanations or narratives, open-ended questions foster a richer dialogue, which can be particularly useful in contexts like interviews, surveys, or discussions where understanding the respondent's viewpoint is essential.