Final answer:
Open-ended questions invite subjective responses, contain multiple plausible answers, and produce qualitative data, without suggesting a right or wrong answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of open-ended questions include the need for subjective, short essay responses that reveal personal perspectives such as beliefs, political views, and morals. These questions are debatable, encouraging a wide range of responses, and do not have a single correct answer, which distinguishes them from closed-ended questions that typically require a simple yes or no. Qualitative data is often the result of such open-ended questions, which can provide a wealth of material for researchers.
Furthermore, structuring research questions to be open-ended is crucial for eliciting detailed responses that reflect the complexity of human thought. This type of approach to questioning allows for multiple interpretations and solutions, fostering an environment for honest and in-depth discussions that are essential for qualitative research.
Lastly, it is important for researchers to remain unbiased and ask questions that do not suggest a right or wrong answer, ensuring that the questions are open to free interpretation and encouraging participants to be open-minded in their responses.