Closed-ended

Describing a question, survey, or process that offers a limited number of pre-defined responses or outcomes, allowing for concise answers and easy data analysis. It restricts the respondent's ability to provide free-form, elaborate answers, focusing instead on specific choices or predetermined endpoints. This structure simplifies information gathering and can be useful for quantifying data and comparing responses across different subjects. The term is frequently used in market research, questionnaires, and scientific studies requiring structured results. The scope is typically fixed, with responses constrained to the provided options.

Closed-ended meaning with examples

• The survey used closed-ended questions like multiple-choice and true/false to gather data on customer satisfaction. This method provided quantifiable results, though at the expense of deeper, more nuanced feedback. The simplicity aided in swift compilation.
• In a job interview, asking closed-ended questions, like 'Can you work weekends?', offers quick answers but limits understanding of the candidate's overall suitability. It can be efficient, but it might not reveal the reasoning behind the answer.
• The scientific experiment utilized a closed-ended methodology to analyze the impact of the treatment. The predetermined outcomes provided measurable and repeatable results. Any deviations would render the data invalid.
• A marketing campaign used a closed-ended quiz to engage potential customers by offering a limited set of options. This increased participation by streamlining the process. The answers led to tailored product recommendations.