Responses to open-ended questions are

Concept

An open-ended question does not supply fixed response categories; the respondent chooses the wording, scope, and emphasis.

The raw response therefore expresses person-dependent meanings and normally needs interpretation or coding before comparison.

Application

Here the respondent can formulate an unrestricted answer. Because personal views, experiences, and judgements shape that answer, the response is subjective.

Contrast

• Quantifiable: numerical analysis becomes possible only after researchers construct and apply coding categories to the free-text responses.

• Realistic: this describes resemblance to actual conditions, not the interpretive character of an unrestricted response.

• Imitative: this describes reproducing a model or observed pattern, not expressing a respondent-selected meaning.

Result

Responses to open-ended questions are subjective.