I have noticed that seemingly simple shallow questions attract a lot of following. On the other hand, apparently profound questions hardly get responses and I wonder why that might be so. Of course, I am not suggesting that all questions that rank very high are simple or shallow. Moreover, I take it that, besides providing space for serious research, researchgate provides a platform where academics can find, connect and interact with other colleagues on points of mutual interests. So my question is: What are the characteristics of a good question?
Responding to this is quite complex. The longest running question I have seen iks aphilosophical one about the possibility of codifying ethics. Admittedly a large proportion of the responses are by 2 or 3 people arguing. I responded once on this and then found myself out of my depth. Other simple ones do not attract me because I do not have the knowledge base or perhaps feel what I have to say is not valuable enough. So in a general sense, what makes a good question - A question that is framed so it is accessible to a greater number of people because it touches on both innate knowledge (considered opinion) and specific knowledge (study area) allowing a valuable dialogue between the 2 forms of knowledge. The question needs to be both general enough to attract a wide range of people and specific enough to attract those with deep knowledge. The question needs to be 'read' as good willed, so that large numbers of people consider their thoughts valuable to the questioner. And then there is luck. Initial responses have to contain the right mix of depth and breadth to attract further response.
When derived from listener / learner's perspective - it is good
Good learners never run out of questions – There’s always more to know. Good learners are never satisfied with how much they know about anything. They are pulled around by questions—the ones they still can’t answer, or can only answer part way, or the ones without very good answers. Those questions follow them around like day follows night with the answer bringing daylight but the next question revealing the darkness.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/seven-characteristics-good-learners/
I have noticed a similar thing. I wonder if sometimes people are sensitive/cautious about their responses when it is an "important" question, raising questions of whether the response would be the "right" one. In contrast, a more seemingly simple question can garner much attention and is simple to respond to, in theory.
- A good question Grabs attention. “What’s wrong with the world?” grabs my attention. I’ll bet it will grab your students’ attention. It will certainly grab your attention more than “In the following Japanese short story set in the 1600s, what is the key issue the author addresses?” Remember, you must have your students’ attention to help them increase their understanding and use of a Biblical perspective.
- A good question Requires upper-level thinking. “How can I be a wise steward?” requires your students recall course content and a Biblical perspective, analyze the situation, and evaluate options in order to choose the wisest course of action. “What are the 3 ways to reduce water consumption that we talked about in class?” requires your students to recall course content. Since using a Biblical perspective involves upper-level thinking, ask questions that require upper-level thinking.
- A good question Allows for a variety of acceptable responses. “Who am I?” allows for a variety of acceptable answers—image bearer of God, Christian/non-Christian, citizen of a given country, member of a given culture or ethnic group, member of a family, personality, gifting. “Who am I?” allows for so many appropriate answers that the students will have some answers you don't have! On the other hand, “Did God create humans in His image?” has one answer: yes. You know the answer. Your students know you know the answer. So your students rely on you for the right answer, knowing they don’t have to think. Not good.
Ask questions that are open-ended. Ask questions that allow for a variety of acceptable answers—meaning (1) there is more than one acceptable answer and (2) that some answers are unacceptable, are unbiblical, are wrong.
And remember, unless you plan to be available 24/7 for your students now and for the rest of their lives, be sure to ask questions that help them use a Biblical perspective on their own right now so that they will be able to use a Biblical perspective throughout their lives.
- A good question Connects course content, students’ lives, and a Biblical perspective. “How can I respond effectively to mass media?” involves students in connecting course content (“mass media”), their lives (“I”), and a Biblical perspective (“effectively”). When students make these connections, they increase their understanding and use of a Biblical perspective. “What is mass media?” addresses the definition of “mass media.” When asked to give definitions, I think “course content,” not connections of course content with my life or a Biblical perspective.
- A good question is Essential—universal, timeless, at the heart of learning. “Who is God?” is essential. “What am I going to do Friday night?” is not, though depending on what is happening Friday night, the question might seem more interesting. In the short term, it doesn’t promote sustained reflection; “Who is God?” does.
- A good question is Student-friendly—short, with developmentally appropriate vocabulary. “How can I use my learning to serve?” is student-friendly. It is short (8 words) and uses appropriate vocabulary. It is easy for students to understand, recall, and use. Imagine students asking each other “How can we use our learning to serve?” When you ask questions of 10 words or more that don’t use developmentally appropriate vocabulary, you decrease the likelihood that students will understand and use the question. Not good.
http://transformingteachers.org/en/articles/biblical-perspective/83-what-makes-a-good-question-good
An open ended question that encourages a debate or analysis of a topic current event or around a concept or area of thought be it technology social science science or medicine are good questions. Sometimes people express opinions on areas they are not familiar with and raise pretty good points. A lecturer once said there was no such thing as a stupid question if the person asking is looking for clarity of thought or perhaps direction. Sometimes an I individual struggles with how to format a question to get the desired response or answer they are looking for and an answer may reveal a keyword that leads them on to a more concrete area of thought or reasoning or gives them a direction in which to go. I often will give an opinion or thought or link to questions I know little about however if by chance a word I say click with someone and gives them a eureka moment then whether my answer is voted up or down is irrelevant. I have given that researcher a direction to go look into to find answers like the directions on a map take us to our journeys end so to can a name a concept theory or key word. I would tell everyone keep asking keep filtering replies never rule an answer out unless someone has a clear argument against it.when we stop asking questions we stop receiving answers so if you can participate and answer as a expert or lay person put it out there and you too might learn something. Never stop asking
Yes, dear Georgina. A good question on RG should encourage debate.
I agree with Krishnan, that a good question reflects the desire to learn.
I find that one should not ask questions, just for the matter of asking one more. In fact , the main characteristic of any question should be honesty.
I often find this when teaching undergraduate students. Their openhearted questions help the debate with profit to all. But also quite often I have to face artificially built question that are misplaced, just for the purpose of marking one's presence. I usually avoid answering those and offer them back to the audience for debate.
Dear Uchem, to answer your question, Honesty, honest scientific curiosity, is the fundamental core of any question.
An exploratory question that makes an individual to seek within their thoughts and experience these thoughts, is a question with good characteristics.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"5 Characteristics of a Good Question
Good questions are an essential element of a group study time. Well-conceived questions usually lead to the “aha moments.” The “aha moments” are what make a group learning experience invaluable. So what makes a good question?
Please, see the link....
http://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/blog/5-characteristics-of-a-good-question/
Responding to this is quite complex. The longest running question I have seen iks aphilosophical one about the possibility of codifying ethics. Admittedly a large proportion of the responses are by 2 or 3 people arguing. I responded once on this and then found myself out of my depth. Other simple ones do not attract me because I do not have the knowledge base or perhaps feel what I have to say is not valuable enough. So in a general sense, what makes a good question - A question that is framed so it is accessible to a greater number of people because it touches on both innate knowledge (considered opinion) and specific knowledge (study area) allowing a valuable dialogue between the 2 forms of knowledge. The question needs to be both general enough to attract a wide range of people and specific enough to attract those with deep knowledge. The question needs to be 'read' as good willed, so that large numbers of people consider their thoughts valuable to the questioner. And then there is luck. Initial responses have to contain the right mix of depth and breadth to attract further response.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
Please, see this interesting clip which is related to the thread. it is produced by Coursera.
Its title is "characteristics-of-a-good-question".
https://www.coursera.org/learn/managing-data-analysis/lecture/orRmj/characteristics-of-a-good-question
Here the question in the sense in class room or designing of questionnaire to gather the information in the point of research.
coming to the class room we cant judge one is correct and wrong, because people will rise the question with innocence on the topic. some are there still ask with over confidence.
thanks
phani
Hi there,
With regards to questions asked on Researchgate, I add my answer as long as I have my say on the question. That is, I humbly believe that people share their views when they have something to share.
Karwan
Dear @Uchem, thanks for sharing your fine question. I am attaching some relevant threads about "good questions". I have taken part in some of them.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_a_good_research_question
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_a_good_question
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_a_good_question_be_described
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_ask_the_right_question_do_we_think_enough_about_it
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_ask_a_question
Dear Sir, I do agree with @Subhash C. Kundu, it must be very clear to understand easily. Thanks
Thanks for sharing.
I agree with the aforementioned views of the colleagues. An important characteristic of a good question is its ability to motivate the readers to communicate (that is, to answer and/or exchange views).
The increased response of the readers to a question may be considered as a main criterion of successful communication.
Regards
The good question that understood by the concerned is the good question.
It depends what you mean by "good question." I see that most people responding assume you mean, question that gets many responses, here on RG. As opposed to a question asked in a classroom environment.
On RG, the question has to be clearly stated of course, because most people are not reading it in their native language. But just as important, if you use the quantity of responses as your criterion for "good question," the question has to be one that "everyone" can answer. Not something arcane, overly technical, in a narrow field.
The technical questions are challenging, and they get very few responses. But few responses does not mean they aren't good questions.
To me, a good question is a question that involves the more subtle aspects of a topic. A good question is one that may evoke obvious answers initially, but then it works to uncover some much more interesting details and nuances. It may not get a lot of replies, but that does not make it less good.
Hello, Ochem
For RG questions, I think Editing of TOPICS, may increase response, I have been asked about shedding of hair after long period of stress? RG select the word periodicals for the Q topic??? I only suggest, but really there are many questions on Rg awaiting for response? for what, this is the question?
Wow! I am so grateful to every body that has contributed so far. I have felt enriched. No doubt others have also learnt. The main points running through the responses so far are that a good question is one that is clear, relevant and of interest to the audience, open-ended, allows people to respond according to their level; whether expert or non-expert on the topic; that it is best to have a question that stimulates open and free discussion in a learning environment. For research purposes, some of the links provided gave very helpful tips for framing research questions in a manner that will make it easier to analyze and interpret the results. I do appreciate your time and effort you put into this. Thanks a lot. Rose.
In my opinion a good question should be:
Short, simple words and obvious terms, too clear to be easily understood by readers.
It should be:
Sensible.
Relevant to the context.
Straight forward, and should not be ambiguous.
No Question should be evaluated
There is always something to learn from every question.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Good questions should...
http://schools.yrdsb.ca/markville.ss/history/religion/Characteristics_GoodQuestioning.htm
A good question should be clear and precise. It should not be overloaded.
Good questions are thought provoking, short, sort of brain teasers and require depth of knowledge to answer.
We need to distinguish between Researchgate questions and Research questions.
A question asked on Researchgate may be:
A good Research question is one which no-one has asked yet. However,
Yours is a good Researchgate question, and may qualify for a good Research Question. Please accept my upvote.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_skills_must_21st_century_teachers_have_to_promote_high_quality_learning
How "good" is a question depends on how you evaluate it. Ian gave many examples.
I think people answer questions that take little time to answer. If one has to dig out details from here and there, that will take time and the question does not get many answers.
I think the question that opens new avenues of knowledge that benefit many researchers would be the "good" one.
Unfortunately, a large number of peoples are using as a social media like face book rather using it as a forum of the scientific community.
A good question is of such a nature that has previously been thought by a great majority of people, although without been asked in the proper terms, time and context.
Lack of responses to profound questions may simply be a matter of time to respond - many researchers and academics are time-poor. However, profound questions that are open-ended and address a problem / phenomenon that appeals to a great number of people because it is current might be two characteristics of a "good" question. As others have said, the difficulty with "good" is that everyone will have a different set of criteria by which they make this judgement.
Generally, a question is intended to know something, which is unknown to the question raiser. (inquirer). It can be inquisitive too (probe)
The good question provokes our mind, makes us think, stimulates our imagination. The good question often has more than one answer. And in some cases the answers can be different. The good question raises new questions. The good question is a challenge but also a solution. The good question is a magic bullet that finds the “Achilles heel” of the status quo; it is an eye that wants to see the invisible. Good question helps us to understand ourselves and the world we live in. Good question does not allow us to sleep. Good question makes us wiser and better. Good question requires an answer. Adequate answer. If we can ask the right question we can change the world. A good question is a step towards the future.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
The power to question is the basis of all human progress.
--- Indira Gandhi
What are the characteristics of a good question?
Think following can be some characteristics of a good question:
Well, to questions such as "what is truth" everybody feels entitled to give and answer, as everyone has an opinion. Therefore your will see several answers. Such topics may attract endless discussion - some of them may prove to be interesting. I usually do not follow such discussions as I do ot have time for it.
Some other questions are very specific and require special knowledge or experience to answer them. I used to ask such questions and at least in 50% of the cases I get useful notes and advice.
Still others (mostly students) do not take the energy to their own google search and ask very trivial questions - or if not trivial, at least ones, which could be easily searched on the internet.
Hi R. N. Uchem
I think the answer as to why this apparent paradox persists, is simply down to a matter of numbers. "Seemingly simple shallow questions" will generally attract more answers precisely because they are seemingly simple shallow questions, which means they are open to a huge potential range of people who are able to give answers. Little knowledge will be required to answer the question, allowing a far wider range of people to feel comfortable to attempt an answer. On the other hand, "apparently profound questions" tend to get fewer answers precisely because they are apparently profound questions, which narrows considerably the number of people who possess a sufficient depth of knowledge on the subject matter to attempt an answer. This observation is not to detract from the benefit offered by answering seemingly simple shallow questions, as these questions frequently elicit far deeper answers than were first sought, often stimulated by the range of other answers given.
Regardless of the level a question is pitched at, it needs to be simply and clearly put in order to ensure the prospective answerer understands the question properly, in other words a good level of communication is key. A short question, well focussed and to the point will usually elicit much better responses than a long rambling question will.
Regards
Bob
For questionnaire , when we ask the question he only consider his basic information & his requirement & the fruitful & utility of the question so that he can find the solution of his basic need for the question .
Generally for the student of any academic level they may ask the question in the platform of RG but the student may get the response only form the members who are in the education level or for their pass study they may help them to reply .
For students apart from the platform of RG they may get the information from their teachers /professors or from Google or where many quite good book of their study material .
Research Gate is certainly is useful & also fruitful against the question of scientific progress,psychology ,philosophy , meditation , various forms of human behavior ,,Finance & Management ,such other number of areas where questionnaires may receive the reply in an expertise manner by virtue of the standing of members in their respective field.
This is my personal opinion
A good question must be simple to understand,easy to analyse and convey something relevant.
The globalization of trade has taken place too quickly. Can we still hope for common sense or is now an unstoppable phenomenon?
Dear Brignoli,
Indeed as you have made it clear, globalization has taken place too quickly and it will never cease. What seem has changed is due to entry point of globalization which culminated through the change of most countries' policies on trade and politics hence economic transformation during the late years of 1980s and early years of 1990s. Now we are actually swimming in globalization and we seem not to feel what is happening. The truth is we are used to it. Globalization has changed some facets of economic and business trends. For example currently the issue of money for development is not really a problem. The issue is now how you make a choice of those you want to support you. Countries with full of indecisive bureaucrats/personnel, will suffer.
Large economies have accrued a lot, and would want to invest objectively. We have now shifted from loan to concession. From a country paying loan to a project paying the same loan. That is why for some of us, who verge into expounding development issues including trade, investment and economics, look at how developing world will capture the opportunities available to large economies such as China, Korea, and the commonly known big eight.
Thanking you in advance. I did not go through the questions. Thus am very sorry for delay in responding.
Norman King, Professor of business management.
Dear Rosy,
Your question can be rephrased,"Why do questions of general interest attract more readers than those of specialized areas?". Shallowness or depth are not the issues. Consider the population that practice your discipline- very likely few comparatively. Your colleagues may not respond if they are not interested. Questions of general interests attract more researchers who may not be experts as such but understand enough to make inputs.
All the best.
Obianuju P. Umeji
Dear Colleagues,
Good science also rests on good questions. The basis of all research is personal inquiry into different aspects of the nature of Nature.
Cheers - tina
What's good is relative. Anyway a question is always good, if exists a good answer. But, sometimes, good question is one for which there's no answer yet, but which causes some people to start searching for one.
Usually questions pop-up for us through the platform using a kind of algorithms. I think the (Interest) will attract us to answer.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
Please, see this interesting picture....
Lots of people can ask questions or create a list of questions. The issue is asking/writing questions in a sequence that move people through observation, interpretation, and application process. Most of us know a good question when we see it. Yet about follow-up/group discussion, it has to do with personal interest. Nowadays, the world has changed a lot in choice. Besides, many people are quite career-driven, joggling life with so many things- research, family, etc, so that time is no friend to many. In any case, a good question, I think should have some characteristics:
It must be purposeful: A question can invite the group to participate (what do we need to study and why), direct discovery (what does it say?), help the group process the content (what does it mean?), or challenge the group to practice what they are learning (what do we do?). It’s about asking the right question at the right time for the right reasons.
It must be open but with direction – Open questions require more than a yes or no answer. However, at the same time they are not without direction. Asking what stands for the majority may generate conversation rather than a secluded area.
It should provide guide without prescription: Good questions help keep the discussion on track.
Encourages higher levels of thinking – Not all questions are created equal. A question that facilitates critical thinking and processing is of more value than …… Critical thinking adds breadth and depth to group experiences.
It empowers – A great question will empower the group to think and become active part of the learning/discovery process. It provides opportunity to the group to explore, discover, organize, postulate, and process.
@Petra, Please admit to us that your ideas came from http://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/blog/5-characteristics-of-a-good-question/
http://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/blog/5-characteristics-of-a-good-question/Pls find more details here:
Dear Uchem,
You have posed a serious issue: What are the characteristics of a good question?
I concur with many responses, especially of Petra. May I add some few questions. are we trained on how to best ask questions to our students? Are we trained on what to observe when marking the responses of students? Do students of two different universities/colleges, writing the same exams, and who have responded or given similar answer attain similar grades under different examiners? is a student who has attained Distinction in College A, attain the same grade if he/she were to pursue the same degree in college B? These few questions suggest that the question posed is very crucial for enhancing the education the world over. We were one time students, now professors, yet we know the demise faced us during our studies. We experienced things that are not worthy to imitate. In some instances we were made to be good or bad pending those who taught us. But we have a room to correct. And this question, I guess, provides the beginning.
Three years ago I authored an article " Maximizing students potentials: some hints and tips", a year later I came up with an article, " Africa Development Bailout: A focus on improving higher education". These two articles provide some important answers on the issue of education, including the matter on discussion.
Kindly read these articles. you may search through any engine or visit RG .
Cheers, Norman
I would like to think there are no good or bad questions, it is the audience that matters. That could also translate to the question becoming good or bad. Simple/shallow questions may attract following because perhaps there is no backing required. Tough questions require tough and tested answers.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
A scientific question is a question that may lead to a hypothesis and help us in answering (or figuring out) the reason for some observation. Asking a scientific question is a part of the scientific method (which includes making an observation, asking the question, forming a hypothesis, testing it and accepting/rejecting/modifying the hypothesis). A good scientific question has certain characteristics. It should have some answers (real answers), should be testable (i.e. can be tested by someone through an experiment or measurements), leads to a hypothesis that is falsifiable (means it should generate a hypothesis that can be shown to fail), etc. For example, an observation that a passing car makes a lot of noise can prompt someone to ask "if there is some correlation between the speed of the car and the noise it generates", which can result in a hypothesis that at higher speeds more noise is generated. This can be tested by driving a car and measuring the noise level and these results can help us accept or reject or modify the hypothesis.
Having just posed some questions on RG and reviewing the responses that I received I have made a few observations. There are "how to" questions that seek advice on scientific procedure or how to do something in the laboratory or in the field. There are "information" questions that seek information about some topic. And there are "opinion" questions that seek responses to an issue, hypothesis or principle of scientific method that may wax philosophical. The questioner needs to be sure to frame his/her question with care so that the responses received address the question and don't stray from the intended question. Sufficient background information needs to be provided so that the responders will understand the question and its basis. I recently failed to frame a question properly and received many very useful answers but not directed at the issue that prompted my original question..
@ R. N. Uchem : Really a good qstn!!!!
Many a time, from my experience of RG interactions, I feel, probably the discussions (answers) rather the qstns attract more responses!! My observation may be incorrect, but, I find, some interesting answers to certain questions invite more answers and more interactions! There are no doubt many standard rules for asking a question but, don't you feel very correctly / profoundly stated/asked qstns many a time receive extremely cold treatments whereas, qstns those are not even worded carefully are profoundly responded?? So, for me,not the main actor (answer seeker) rather all other actors ( followers/ respondents ) play an important role in the success of a play in this platform.
thanks®ards
Priyadarsini
@Priyadarsini: So answers attract answers!
@@ R. N. Uchem: interesting question!
@Dwight Hoxie: nice observation and reply!
@Minati Mishra: Yes, it is so, for me.
an interesting answer attracts many.
It's because we like a good discussion. A question is a question, little to discuss, but answers... here the discussion starts.
The desirable characteristics of a good question is:
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Realistic
T- Timely (Or) Timebound
I think a simple and specific question with enough background, and the reasons for such a question, will attract good responses if the community it is addressed to are properly tagged in it.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day
Please, see how a Good Readers Ask Questions....
Dear colleagues, I would like to thank all who have contributed answers to my questions. One of answers I really found unique was the one that pointed to questions that receive fewer answers as possible indication of an area of research yet to be explored. I remain grateful for all your ideas shared. RU.
Logic, inspiration and level appropriate to the person being questioned.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
The common question that gets asked in business is, 'why?' That's a good question, but an equally valid question is, 'why not?'
---- Jeff Bezos
The question that promotes discussion that will bring forward opinions from many people. In the end many ideas would be shared and the knowledge base of many (others) will be broadened.
One would refer to this question later o,n because it contains comparable knowledge to an encyclopedia.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
The power to question is the basis of all human progress.
---- Indira Gandhi
Thanks again to you all for your very insightful answers. One of the aspects of questions that has emerged is the educational quality of 'leading forth,' drawing out knowledge which may be lying dormant within a person or a group. Hence, the recurrence in the responses of the need for clarity, sharpness, interesting, relevant, significant and being focused, bearing in mind the relevant audience. Thanks again.
Hello,
greetings by the question! In my opinion, should be understandable, have practical applicability, enabling analysis and comparison and be available for use at the right time! Greetings.
A question may be oriented for checking whether the answer you think of is the right one. If you got a good answer, you question was a good one, but if not - it wasn't one.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
Here is "Characteristics of GOOD questions that lead to quality discussion",
Please, see....