Question Formulation Technique

Overview

The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) is a process developed by The Right Question Institute. When sharing with students and developing QFT-related materials, please note The Right Question Institute as the source.

The QFT is a unique and easy to implement tool that relies on students asking questions rather than mentors/adults posing questions to the group. When students lead the learning with their own questions, they are more engaged, driven by their curiosity, and feel more invested in learning. Additionally, this removes the onus from adults to supply all the questions and structure an entire learning session prior to students arriving. It is crucial to give students the space to ask questions as well as the knowledge and confidence to do so. This is where the Question Formulation Technique comes in.

Steps

The QFT is made up of the following steps:

Begin with a "Question Focus"
Produce questions
Improve our questions
Prioritize our questions
Decide on next steps
Reflect on we've learned

Question Focus (QFocus)

A stimulus; a springboard you will use to ask questions. The QFocus can be a topic, image, phrase or situation that will serve as the "focus" for generating questions. An effective QFocus should be clear, should provoke and stimulate new lines of thinking and should not be a question.

Producing questions

You will use the Question Focus (QFocus) to formulate as many questions as you can. Ask all kinds of questions about the topic, phrase, image, situation, etc. presented.

The Rules :

Follow these rules in order to facilitate effective question formulation:

Ask as many questions as you can
Do not stop to discuss, judge, or answer any questions
Write down every question exactly as it is stated
Change any statement into a question

This part of the process allows you to think freely without having to worry about the quality of the questions you are asking.

Improve the Questions

The next step is to learn about two different types of questions that might be on your list: closed-ended and open-ended questions.

*Closed-ended* questions can be answered with a "yes" or "no" or with one or two words.
*Open-ended* questions require more explanation to answer.

This part of the process develops as follows:

First, review your list and identify the closed-ended questions with a "C", and the open-ended questions with an "O".
Second, think about and name the advantages and disadvantages of asking each type of question. You will see that there is value in asking both types of questions.
Third practice changing questions from one type to another. Changing the questions will help you learn how to edit your questions to meet your purpose.

Prioritizing Questions

You might have a lot of questions on your list. It will be easier to work with the questions if some priorities are established. You will now choose three questions based on actions you want to take. For example, three most important questions, three questions you would like to address first, three questions you want to explore further, etc.

After choosing the priority questions your next step is to name a rationale for choosing.

As the last step in prioritizing, please pay attention to the numbers of your priority questions. Are your priority questions at the beginning, in the middle or at the end?

Next Steps

Your questions can now be put into action. You might already have criteria on what to do with the questions. For example, you may use the questions to do research, develop a project, use the questions as a guide, etc.

Reflection

This is the last step in the process. It is now time to reflect on the work you have done: what you have learned and how you can use it. The reflection helps internalize the process, its value and how to apply it further.