The Art of Questioning

Question Types Infographic

Question Types Infographic

Open-Ended Questions

Formula: "Tell me about..."

Purpose: To gather detailed, unrestricted information and encourage expansive responses.

Example: "Tell me about your last vacation."

Closed-Ended Questions

Formula: "Is/Are/Do...?" (Yes/No)

Purpose: To obtain specific, clear-cut answers or confirm information.

Example: "Do you enjoy reading fiction?"

Convergent Questions

Formula: "What specifically...?"

Purpose: To focus on a particular answer or piece of information.

Example: "What specifically caused the French Revolution?"

Divergent Questions

Formula: "In what ways could...?"

Purpose: To stimulate creative thinking and explore multiple possibilities.

Example: "In what ways could we reduce plastic waste in our community?"

Focal Questions

Formula: "Regarding [X], what...?"

Purpose: To direct attention to a specific aspect of a topic.

Example: "Regarding climate change, what impact does it have on polar ecosystems?"

Funnel Questions

Formula:

  1. "Generally, what...?"
  2. "More specifically, how...?"
  3. "Precisely, would...?"

Purpose: To systematically narrow down from broad to specific information.

Example:

  1. "Generally, what do you think about electric vehicles?"
  2. "More specifically, how do you feel about their range capabilities?"
  3. "Precisely, would you consider buying one for your next car?"

Assumption-based Questions

Formula: "If [X], then...?"

Purpose: To explore hypothetical scenarios based on certain premises.

Example: "If teleportation were possible, how would it change urban planning?"

Fact-based Questions

Formula: "What is the [X] of...?"

Purpose: To gather objective, verifiable information.

Example: "What is the capital of Australia?"

Observation-based Questions

Formula: "What do you see/hear/feel...?"

Purpose: To collect sensory information and immediate perceptions.

Example: "What do you see when you look at this painting?"

Scale-based Questions

Formula: "On a scale of [X] to [Y], how...?"

Purpose: To quantify subjective experiences or opinions.

Example: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your current job?"

Probing Questions

Formula: "Why exactly...?"

Purpose: To delve deeper into a response and uncover underlying reasons.

Example: "Why exactly did you choose to study engineering?"

Rhetorical Questions

Formula: "Isn't it true that...?"

Purpose: To make a point or provoke thought, not to elicit an answer.

Example: "Isn't it true that we all have a responsibility to protect the environment?"

Hypothetical Questions

Formula: "What if...?"

Purpose: To explore potential scenarios and their consequences.

Example: "What if humans could breathe underwater?"

Reflective Questions

Formula: "Looking back, how...?"

Purpose: To encourage analysis of past experiences and promote learning.

Example: "Looking back, how would you handle that situation differently?"

Diagnostic Questions

Formula: "What symptoms indicate...?"

Purpose: To identify problems or issues by examining specific indicators.

Example: "What symptoms indicate that a computer's hard drive is failing?"

Explorative Questions

Formula: "What possibilities exist for...?"

Purpose: To brainstorm and discover new ideas or solutions.

Example: "What possibilities exist for renewable energy in desert regions?"

Evaluative Questions

Formula: "How well did [X] achieve...?"

Purpose: To assess effectiveness, quality, or performance.

Example: "How well did the new marketing strategy achieve its goals?"

Prompting Questions

Formula: "Have you thought about...?"

Purpose: To suggest new angles or considerations to the respondent.

Example: "Have you thought about learning a new language?"

Complex Questions

Formula: "How do [X] and [Y] affect...?"

Purpose: To examine relationships between multiple factors.

Example: "How do diet and exercise affect overall health?"

Clarifying Questions

Formula: "What do you mean by...?"

Purpose: To ensure clear understanding and avoid misinterpretations.

Example: "What do you mean by 'sustainable fashion'?"

Behavioral Questions

Formula: "Describe a time when you..."

Purpose: To assess past actions as indicators of future performance.

Example: "Describe a time when you had to resolve a conflict at work."

Contextual Questions

Formula: "In [context], how...?"

Purpose: To understand how specific circumstances influence a situation.

Example: "In a remote work environment, how do you maintain team cohesion?"

Comparative Questions

Formula: "How does [X] compare to [Y] in terms of...?"

Purpose: To analyze similarities and differences between options or ideas.

Example: "How does solar energy compare to wind energy in terms of efficiency?"

Suggestive (Leading and Loaded) Questions

Formula: "Wouldn't you agree that...?" (Use cautiously)

Purpose: To guide the respondent towards a specific answer (note: can be manipulative).

Example: "Wouldn't you agree that stricter gun control laws are necessary?"

WH Questions: Exploring the 5 W's and How

WH questions are fundamental tools for gathering information and understanding various aspects of a situation. Let's explore how different WH words can be used to elicit specific types of information:

How: To Describe a Process

Formula: "How do you [action]?"

Purpose: To inquire about methods, processes, or the manner in which something is done.

Example: "How do you make a traditional Italian pizza?"

Why: To Explain the Reasons

Formula: "Why did [subject] [action]?"

Purpose: To uncover motivations, causes, or justifications for actions or events.

Example: "Why did the company decide to expand into international markets?"

What: To Detail Information

Formula: "What is/are [subject]?"

Purpose: To gather specific details about objects, ideas, or situations.

Example: "What are the main ingredients in a classic Caesar salad?"

When: To Discuss the Time

Formula: "When will/did [event] happen?"

Purpose: To inquire about timing, schedules, or the occurrence of events.

Example: "When will the new product be launched in stores?"

Where: To Specify the Location

Formula: "Where is/are [subject]?"

Purpose: To determine the location or place of something or someone.

Example: "Where is the nearest emergency exit in this building?"

Which: To Clarify the Choice

Formula: "Which [option] is/are [criteria]?"

Purpose: To ask about a specific option among alternatives.

Example: "Which of these software packages is most suitable for our needs?"

Who/Whom/Whose: To Inquire About People

Purpose: To gather information about individuals or groups.

Who

Formula: "Who [action]?"

Example: "Who discovered penicillin?"

Whom

Formula: "Whom did [subject] [action]?"

Example: "Whom did the committee select as the new chairperson?"

Whose

Formula: "Whose [object] is this?"

Example: "Whose responsibility is it to maintain the company's cybersecurity?"

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