Final answer:
Radio buttons are used for single-choice selections while check boxes allow for multiple selections in questionnaires. Radio buttons restrict selection to one option, suitable for yes/no type questions, while check boxes support responses like multiple interests or career aspirations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Radio buttons and check boxes serve different purposes in questionnaires and user interfaces. Radio buttons are best suited for scenarios where the user is required to make a single choice among multiple options. This could be in a survey where a question has mutually exclusive options and the user can select only one, such as indicating gender as either male, female, or other. In contrast, check boxes are suitable when multiple selections are allowed, and more than one option can be relevant, such as selecting various interests or skills.
For example, a questionnaire determining how participants plan to use their college education could use checkbox options if it allows for multiple career choices to be selected. However, if the survey aims to find out if participants prefer more music or talk shows on a local radio station, radio buttons would be appropriate to restrict the choice to one option. When collecting data on sensitive issues like religious beliefs or political views through open-ended questions, the use of written essay responses can elicit qualitative data that provides deeper insights than simple selections.