Which among the following is NOT a characteristic of closed-ended questions in survey research?

AThey allow unusual responses that the survey researcher may not have contemplated ✓ Correct

BThey are easy for interviewers or respondents to complete

CThey reduce the possibility of variability in the recording of answers

DThere is a loss of spontaneity in respondents' answers

Correct answer: (A) They allow unusual responses that the survey researcher may not have contemplated

Explanation

Allowing unusual responses the researcher did not anticipate is not a feature of closed-ended questions.

That openness to unforeseen answers is instead a hallmark of open-ended questions.

Closed-ended questions are indeed easy for interviewers and respondents to complete.

They genuinely reduce variability in how answers are recorded, aiding comparability.

They do bring a loss of spontaneity, since respondents pick from fixed options.

Closed-ended items are quick to code and well suited to large-scale surveys.

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