We have used a self-consistent Skyrme-Hartree-Fock plus continuum-RPA model to study the low-multipole response of stable and neutron/proton-rich Ni and Sn isotopes. We focus on the momentum-transfer dependence of the strength distribution, as it provides information on the structure of excited nuclear states and in particular on the variations of the transition form factor (TFF) with the energy. Our results show, among other things, that the TFF may show significant energy dependence in the region of the isoscalar giant monopole resonance and that the TFF corresponding to the threshold strength in the case of neutron-rich nuclei is different compared to that corresponding to the respective giant resonance. Perspectives are given for more detailed future investigations.