Final answer:
Open-ended questions are more difficult to interpret with large sample sizes because they yield qualitative data that is subjective and varies greatly, unlike the easily analyzable quantitative data from close-ended questions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main answer to the student's question regarding the disadvantage of open-ended questions compared to close-ended questions is that they are more difficult to interpret when the sample size is large. Open-ended questions provide qualitative data that is subjective and can vary widely from person to person, making it challenging to organize and tabulate. These types of questions might ask for personal experiences or opinions, such as how one plans to use their college education or why someone follows a certain music artist, requiring responses that are similar to short essays. When dealing with a large sample size, the range of responses received can be so wide that interpretation becomes more complex compared to quantitative data generated from close-ended questions, which can be easily counted and statistically analyzed.However, the richness of the material provided by open-ended questions can be invaluable, as it allows for a deeper understanding of personal beliefs and motivations. It is crucial for researchers to carefully consider the balance between the depth of information desired and the practicality of data analysis when designing questionnaires for research purposes.