Which type of question would be most appropriate for qualitative research?

In qualitative research, the goal is to gain in-depth insights into participants' thoughts, feelings, experiences, and behaviors. Open-ended questions are essential in this context as they allow respondents to express their views in their own words, providing rich, detailed data that can reveal the complexities of their perspectives.

This type of questioning encourages participants to elaborate on their answers, leading to a deeper understanding of the nuances in their experiences. For instance, asking an open-ended question like "Can you describe your experience with social services?" enables the participant to provide a narrative that captures their unique viewpoint, unlike more restrictive question formats.

In contrast, yes/no questions and multiple-choice questions limit responses to predefined answers, which can reduce the opportunity for participants to share detailed insights. Rating scale questions also confine answers to a limited range of responses, often missing the qualitative nuances that open-ended questions can capture. Therefore, the use of open-ended questions aligns perfectly with the objectives of qualitative research, making them the most appropriate choice in this context.