What type of questions are designed to invite elaboration and draw out information?

Open-ended questions are specifically designed to encourage a detailed response and foster conversation. They allow the respondent to elaborate on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with more depth than simple affirmation or negation. For example, asking "What are your thoughts on the new software rollout?" invites the person to share their insights, opinions, and additional information they may have, leading to a more enriching dialogue.

In contrast, closed-ended questions, directive questions, and yes/no questions typically limit the responses. Closed-ended questions often require only concise answers, such as "Do you like this software?" which can be answered with a simple yes or no, thus offering minimal opportunity for elaboration. Directive questions may aim to guide the conversation but do not specifically invite expansive responses. Yes/no questions, by their very nature, restrict the participant's ability to provide more context or elaborate on their thoughts.

Overall, open-ended questions are invaluable tools in communication, particularly in settings like desktop support, where understanding a user's experience and needs can greatly enhance problem-solving and support efficiency.