What is a significant disadvantage of the question and answer style of note-taking?

The question and answer style of note-taking has the significant disadvantage of potentially limiting the depth and breadth of information shared by the interviewee. This style typically involves a structured format where the interviewer asks specific questions and the interviewee responds directly. While this can lead to organized notes, it can also restrict the interviewee’s ability to elaborate on their thoughts or provide additional context not prompted by the questions.

In a more open-ended or conversational approach, interviewees may feel freer to discuss nuances or related experiences that could provide valuable insights. However, in a strict question and answer framework, the focus is on answering the posed questions rather than exploring the discussion more spontaneously. This limitation can mean missing out on critical information that may not have been anticipated by the interviewer when formulating their questions.

The other choices reflect different aspects or consequences of this note-taking method, but they do not capture this core limitation of restricting the flow of information from the interviewee. This reinforces the importance of being mindful of how the interview format can influence the quality and completeness of the information gathered in investigative settings.