Unable to get input type

Unable to get input type

<select name="q_1[]" multiple size="6">
    <option value="1">Volvo</option>
    <option value="2">Saab</option>
    <option value="3">Mercedes</option>
    <option value="4">Audi</option>
 </select>

<select name="q_2">
    <option value="1">Volvo</option>
    <option value="2">Saab</option>
    <option value="3">Mercedes</option>
    <option value="4">Audi</option>
</select>

<input type="checkbox" name="q_4[]" value="scales" />Scales <br />


//DOES NOT WORK ---ALWAYS GET undefined
 el = $('[name="q_1[]"]');
var inputType = el.attr('type');
alert(inputType);   

//DOES NOT WORK ---ALWAYS GET undefined
 el = $('[name="q_2"]');
var inputType = el.attr('type');
alert(inputType);   

//THIS WORKS ---RETURNS checkbox
 el = $('[name="q_4[]"]');
var inputType = el.attr('type');
alert(inputType);