Part 1: For each of the following situations, describe whether an open or closed question would be more appropriate. Explain your choices. If you think more than one question is necessary to discover the essential information, list each one.
You want to find out whether your boss will support your request to attend a convention in a distant city.
A manager wants to know whether a project will exceed its projected budget.
An insurance sales representative wants to determine whether a customer has adequate coverage.
An employer wants to find out why an applicant has held four jobs in five years.
Part 2: For each of the following situations, write one factual question and one opinion question. Decide which of these is most appropriate for the situation. Then write two secondary questions as follow-ups for the primary question you have chosen.
You want to know whether you are justified in asking your boss for a raise, and you decide to question a coworker.
A supervisor wants to discover whether an employees request for a one-month personal leave of absence to visit a sick parent is essential.
You are planning to buy a laptop or a desktop PC. You want to decide whether the laptop computer is worth the extra $250 it will cost.
Part 3: For each of the following direct questions, create an indirect question that could elicit the same information.
How hard a worker are you? (selection)
Do you agree with my evaluation? (appraisal)
Does the product have any drawbacks? (diagnostic)
Are you telling me the real reason youre leaving? (exit)
Do you really believe this idea has merit, or are you just going along? (research)
Part 4: Application Select a person in your chosen career field who plays a role in hiring new employees. Conduct an information-gathering interview to discover the following.
What methods are used to identify job candidates?
What format is used to interview applicants?