Which type of question is best for inviting explanation in the interviewee's own words?

• A. Indirect
• B. Leading
• C. Direct
• D. Open-ended

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is choosing a question that invites the interviewee to explain in their own words. Open-ended questions do exactly that. They typically start with how, why, what, tell me about, or describe and require more than a simple yes or no. This approach gives the interviewee space to share their reasoning, approach, and experiences in their own language, which reveals how they think and how they communicate. It also provides richer, more nuanced information about their understanding and perspective.

Other types tend to limit depth. Indirect questions can be vague or unclear, making it hard to capture a precise explanation. Leading questions push toward a specific answer, biasing the response. Direct questions solicit specific details but often produce brief, factual replies without the chance to elaborate. In contrast, open-ended questions balance prompting for information with freedom to elaborate, making them best for inviting explanation in the interviewee’s own words.