Open-ended questions are the most effective at propelling discussions. Unlike close-ended questions, which typically elicit short, specific answers (often "yes" or "no"), open-ended questions encourage elaboration and sharing of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. These types of questions often start with "how," "why," or "what do you think about..." and invite participants to engage more deeply in the conversation.
For example, asking "What do you think about the project's direction?" encourages a dialogue, while a close-ended counterpart, like "Is the project on track?" may not lead to further discussion.
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