Questions in Research
- id: 1754959019
- Date: Aug. 12, 2025, 1:01 a.m.
- Author: Donald F. Elger
Goals
- Describe questions in research.
- Excel at asking questions in research.
What
A question is a request for information. In research, asking the right questions helps you focus on the most useful information and avoid wasting time on low-value details.
Why
If you ask the best questions, you’ll get the most relevant, high-quality information. Poor or unfocused questions lead to wasted time and less effective results.
How To — Best Questions Method
Best Questions → Research → Repeat
- Clarify Goal — Define what you want to know or
decide.
- Generate Questions — Use open-ended prompts such
as:
- What do I want to know?
- What might be the most important things to find out?
- List Options — Write down as many questions as you
can without filtering.
- Select Best Questions — Choose the most useful ones
for your goal right now.
- Research — Seek answers to these questions.
- Repeat — Refine your questions and keep improving your research.
Examples
Gathering Information Prior to Buying a House
- What are the prices?
- Which neighborhoods are safest?
- What year was this house built?
- What are the property taxes?
- How is the local school district rated?
Evaluating a Job Opportunity
- What is the salary range for this position?
- What are the career advancement opportunities?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What benefits are included in the compensation package?
- What does a typical workday look like in this role?
Planning a Vacation Destination
- What is the weather like during our travel dates?
- What are the must-see attractions and activities?
- How much should we budget for food and accommodations?
- What are the visa or travel document requirements?
- How safe is this destination for tourists?
Choosing a College Major
- What career paths does this major typically lead to?
- How competitive is admission to this program?
- What is the job market outlook for graduates in this field?
- What are the required courses and prerequisites?
- How much can graduates expect to earn in their first job?
Starting a Small Business
- Who is our target customer demographic?
- What are the startup costs and ongoing expenses?
- What licenses or permits do we need to operate legally?
- How much competition exists in this market?
- What marketing strategies will be most effective for reaching customers?
Researching Healthcare Options
- What treatments are available for this condition?
- What are the potential side effects and risks?
- How much will this treatment cost with our insurance?
- What is the success rate for this procedure?
- How experienced is this healthcare provider with similar cases?
Tasks With Feedback (TwFs)
id: 1754823001
Task
What is a question in research?
Feedback
A question in research is a request for information, aimed at guiding your efforts toward useful and relevant knowledge.
id: 1754823002
Task
Why is it important to excel at asking questions in research?
Feedback
Asking the best questions helps you get high-quality, relevant information, which saves time and increases the effectiveness of your research.
id: 1754823003
Task
List the steps in the Best Questions Method.
Feedback
The steps are:
1. Clarify Goal
2. Generate Questions
3. List Options
4. Select Best Questions
5. Research
6. Repeat
id: 1754823004
Task
Explain the difference between generating questions and selecting the best questions.
Feedback
Generating questions means coming up with as many as possible without filtering. Selecting the best questions means choosing the most useful ones for your current goal.
id: 1754823005
Task
You are planning a vacation. Generate three good research questions you would ask.
Feedback
Good examples could include:
- What is the weather like during my travel dates?
- What are the must-see attractions?
- How much should I budget for food and accommodations?
id: 1754823006
Task
You are evaluating a job opportunity. Which is the most effective research question: “Is this a good job?” or “What is the salary range, and what benefits are included?”
Feedback
The second question is more effective because it is specific, measurable, and provides actionable information.
id: 1754823007
Task
Why should you repeat the Best Questions → Research → Repeat process?
Feedback
Repeating the process allows you to refine your questions, adjust to new information, and keep your research focused on what matters most.
id: 1754823008
Task
Give one example of a low-value research question when buying a house.
Feedback
An example could be “What color is the front door?” — unless color is a priority for you, this question doesn’t help with important decisions.
id: 1754823009
Task
You are tasked with improving recycling rates in your city. Your goal is unclear. What should you do before generating questions?
Feedback
Clarify your goal by defining exactly what you want to know or decide, such as focusing on household recycling rates, commercial waste, or public awareness.
id: 1754823010
Task
A teammate suggests starting research with only one or two questions to save time. Why might this be a bad idea?
Feedback
Starting with only a few questions limits your perspective and can cause you to miss important areas of inquiry. Generating many questions first increases your chances of finding the most valuable ones.
id: 1754823011
Task
You are researching a new software tool. List three high-value and three low-value research questions.
Feedback
High-value:
- What problems does this tool solve?
- How much time can it save compared to my current process?
- What is the total cost, including subscription fees?
Low-value:
- What is the default background color?
- Does the logo look nice?
- How many fonts are in the help documentation?
id: 1754823012
Task
While researching healthcare options, you find conflicting answers to your best questions. What should you do next?
Feedback
Refine your questions, verify information from multiple trustworthy sources, and, if necessary, generate new questions to resolve contradictions.
id: 1754823013
Task
In the middle of your project, you realize your goal has changed. How should you adjust your research process?
Feedback
Revisit the Best Questions Method starting at “Clarify Goal,” regenerate and filter your questions, and continue researching with the updated focus.