What is a binary question?
Definition and examples of binary questions
Binary questions are a subtype of close-ended questions which are questions that only let the other person a given limited amount of possible answers. For instance, “I need to call you back next week, which day would you prefer?” ; in a business context, this is a closed question which leaves only a few possible answers depending on the company’s opening days.
Specifically, a binary question is a close-ended question which leaves only 2 possible answers: yes or no, in most cases. Here are a few examples:
- Are you available for a pitch meeting tomorrow?
- Did Mark send the email to the client?
- Have you reviewed the latest version of the document?
- Have they submitted their expense report for last week?
- Have you experienced any technical issues with the software lately?
These questions are designed to gather specific information quickly and efficiently regarding:
- the presence or absence of something: “Have you received the updated project guidelines?”;
- agreement or disagreement: “Do you think I am good at my job?”;
- a true or false scenario: “Did you attend Tuesday’s meeting?”
Binary questions are always straight-to-the-point : a good thing for time management but they are also indicative of a predetermined mindset.
Binary questions and answers: why are they not optimal?
Granted, binary questions are straightforward. However, they carry within them quite a number of limitations that come to nuance the bigger picture. Indeed, binary questions, with their dichotomous nature demanding a “yes” or “no” response, can often oversimplify complex matters and fail to capture the richness of human experience or the intricacies of reality.
Firstly, binary questions can only work within a rigid framework, which leaves no space for elaboration. For instance, asking “Are you happy?” might not account for the multitude of emotions which all contribute to someone’s happiness. Human emotions are a prime example of nuances which cannot always be neatly stored into one box or another.
Then, binary questions can be quite an efficient vector for all kinds of biases which tend to lead respondents towards a particular answer or to make them overlook alternative perspectives. These biases can stem from the phrasing of the question or the context in which it is asked. For example, asking “Do you agree with me?” presupposes a stance and might influence the respondent to conform rather than express genuine disagreement.
This is detrimental to the questioner if they intend to get insightful answers but it can be detrimental to the conversation as a whole because binary questions might be perceived by the respondent as a manipulation attempt. At any rate, binary questions are not the most tactful or diplomatic way to ask questions.
Also, binary questions don’t capture the complexity of certain topics or issues. Matters such as morality, identity, and beliefs are seldom ones and zeroes, yet binary questions attempt to overly simplify reality which can ultimately hinder meaningful dialogue and understanding.
Of course, binary questions are not always ill-advised. Once again, they can serve a purpose in certain contexts, such as decision-making processes where clarity and simplicity are paramount.
However, for the sake of more constructive debates and in order to set a non violent communication process, you have to be able to tell which binary questions are in dire need of an upgrade.
How to identify and transform binary questions?
How to spot ineffective binary questions?
Whether intentionally or not, binary questions can lead to various kinds of logical fallacies. Here are the most common ones that you need to be able to identify.
Ambiguous questions
Ambiguous binary questions are those that can be interpreted in multiple ways, potentially leading to confusion or misunderstanding. A question can be inherently ambiguous:
- “Are you attending the meeting or the conference?” This question may be unclear if the speaker is asking whether the person will attend both the meeting and the conference, or if they have to choose between the two.
- “Have you made progress on the project?” This is ambiguous because it doesn’t specify the timeframe or criteria for measuring progress, leading to uncertainty about what exactly is being asked.
However, ambiguity can also be derived from context:
- “Have you resolved the issue with the client?” This question could be unclear if there are multiple issues with the client, and it’s not specified which one is being referred to.
- “Will you be finished with your tasks next Monday?” This question lacks specificity about which tasks are being referred to, leaving room for interpretation about deadlines and priorities.
False dilemmas
Also known as the “either-or” fallacy, the false dilemma occurs when the two options are presented as if they were the only possibilities, when in reality, there are more choices or nuances to consider. This oversimplification can lead to a skewed understanding of the situation and restricts the range of possible solutions. For instance, “Should we cut costs or go bankrupt?” ignores the possibility of other strategies such as increasing revenue or restructuring debt.
Loaded questions
This is sometimes also referred to as the “complex question fallacy”. Essentially, a loaded question contains a controversial or unjustified assumption, often aimed at influencing the respondent or trapping them into a specific response. These questions are typically designed to provoke an emotional reaction or make the respondent feel defensive. For example, “Do you always cut corners to meet deadlines?” assumes that the respondent regularly engages in unethical behavior at work, regardless of whether that is true or not, putting them in a difficult position regardless of their answer.
Loaded questions are obviously always perceived as an aggression and should never be included in any work-related conversation or feedback session.
Best practices to improve your questions
The most useful alternative to binary questioning is to use open-ended questions, which are also called adaptive questions. The general idea is to leave enough room to the respondent so they can fully and truthfully express themselves.
Provide context
Offer context or background information to prompt more detailed responses.
- Binary question: “Did you find the meeting useful?”
- Open-ended question: “How did the meeting answer the questions you had about your September project?”
Encourage comparison and analysis
Invite respondents to compare options or analyze their preferences.
- Binary question: “Do you prefer email or phone communication for project updates?”
- Open-ended question: “What advantages do you see in using email versus phone communication for project updates, and how do your preferences influence your communication approach in different work situations?”
Take an interest in the other person’s motivations and experiences
Prompt respondents to share their reasons, experiences, or feelings related to the topic.
- Binary question: “Are you satisfied with your current position?”
- Open-ended question: “What aspects of your job contribute to your satisfaction, and are there any areas you would like to see improvement in?”
This approach complements your active listening skills rather well.
Ask for suggestions or solutions
Ask them to provide suggestions or solutions rather than simply stating their preference.
- Binary question: “Do you think this policy is effective?”
- Open-ended question: “What changes or improvements would you suggest to make this policy more effective?”
Use scale questions
Instead of strictly binary choices, offer a scale that allows for nuance in responses.
- Binary question: “Is the customer service satisfactory?”
- Open-ended question: “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your experience with our customer service, and what factors influenced your rating?”
On a general standpoint, spotting poor binary questions is quite simple but essential to setting up a productive dialogue between your respondent and you. The key is essentially to avoid doing two things: introducing judgment and seeking a predetermined answer, leaving room to interpretation. Better yet, to improve your questions, be precise, provide opportunities to get comprehensive answers and always try to see the bigger picture.
Looking for complete answers and always trying to uncover new things is precisely what we do at CoachYZ. We think that within every leader, every decision-maker, there is untapped potential waiting to be harnessed. If you think you owe it to yourself to become the best leader you can be, try our coaching sessions!
