Question Types
Investigative: Used to learn and understand the individual and the matters that concern them.
- “How long have you struggled in this way?”
Hypothetical: Used to explore feelings, beliefs, hopes or goals by suggesting imaginative scenarios.
- “Suppose you didn’t have this struggle. What would life be like then?”
Clarifying: Used to verify and clarify what has been said avoiding assumptions.
- “Would you say that you feel betrayed?”
Reflective: Used to help them reflect on what they have shared.
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- “You mentioned feeling ‘angry’. Can we explore that?”
Question Formats
Open Ended: Used to expand sharing.
- “Share more about…”
- “How would you describe…?”
- “How did that make you feel?”
Closed Ended: Used to narrow sharing.
- “Yes or no…?”
- “On a scale of 1 – 10…?”
- “Would you say it is like this… or like this…”
Question types to avoid:
- Interrogation – “Why did you do that?”
- Leading – “You didn’t do _______ did you?”
Question Examples
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