Introduction: What makes a good inquiry question?
1. It has more than one answer but must be supported with evidence.
- Example: How is a hero different than a celebrity?
2. It is open ended and higher order (have no right or wrong).
- Example: How do you know if a law is just?
3. It has very deep meaning.
- Example: Just suppose John A. MacDonald had not approved the development of residential schools in Canada. What would have happened differently?
4. It makes you think, know and wonder.
- Example: How could you invent a better government?
References:
Can you add a few more to the critical inquiry list?
- Example 1: What year did the Industrial Revolution start?
- Example 2: In what ways has the Industrial Revolution influenced our current century?
- open ended and higher order (have no right or wrong)
- has very deep meaning
- makes you think, know and wonder
Step 3: Before you launch into your research, look at the inquiry question you have developed and see if it meets the following criteria:
1. You are interested in it
2. The question is open to research
3. You don’t already know the answer
4. The question may have multiple possible answers
5. It has clear focus
6. The question should be reasonable
7. Try to avoid or rephrase questions which have a premise
8. Make sure you are defining all the terms in your question so you know exactly what you are asking
9. A new question can be asked once your information is gathered
10. Having the right answer is important to you.