38 Question Formulation Technique (QFT)
The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) is a structured strategy designed to empower students by teaching them how to generate, refine, and use their own questions. This approach encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and active engagement, placing students at the center of their learning process. QFT is applicable across disciplines and grade levels, supporting inquiry-based and student-centered learning.
Steps in QFT
- Present a Question Focus (QFocus):
- Provide students with a stimulus, such as a statement, visual, or scenario, to spark curiosity and focus their thinking.
- Example: A visual of melting ice caps paired with the statement, “The Arctic is losing ice at an unprecedented rate.”
- Students Generate Questions:
- In small groups or individually, students brainstorm as many questions as possible related to the QFocus.
- During this step, all judgment and critique of questions are suspended to encourage creative and uninhibited thinking.
- Categorize Questions:
- Students identify their questions as either closed-ended (questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no” or a single fact) or open-ended (questions requiring explanation or exploration).
- Students practice converting closed-ended questions to open-ended ones and vice versa, learning the strengths and uses of each type.
- Prioritize Questions:
- Students prioritize the most relevant, interesting, or actionable questions based on the goals of the activity or assignment.
- Example: From a list of questions about the Arctic ice caps, students might select, “What causes ice caps to melt faster in certain regions?” or “How does melting ice affect ecosystems?”
- Plan Next Steps:
- Using their selected questions, students plan how to explore or investigate further. This could include research, experiments, or discussions.
- Reflect on the Process:
- Students and instructors reflect on the QFT process, discussing its impact on learning and the value of asking good questions.
Benefits of QFT
- Empowers Student Ownership of Learning:
By generating and selecting their own questions, students take a more active role in their education, fostering intrinsic motivation and curiosity. - Develops Critical Thinking and Metacognitive Skills:
The process of categorizing, refining, and prioritizing questions enhances students’ ability to think critically and reflect on their thinking process. - Encourages Inquiry Across Disciplines:
QFT is versatile and can be adapted for use in science, humanities, arts, and beyond, supporting the inquiry-based and problem-based learning models.
Examples of QFT in Action
- Science: In a biology course, students examine a QFocus such as a diagram of a food web with missing connections. They generate questions like, “What happens when a predator is removed from an ecosystem?” or “How do invasive species affect this food web?”
- History: In a history seminar, students analyze a provocative quote like, “History is written by the victors.” Questions might include, “Who decides which events are recorded?” or “How can we learn from marginalized perspectives?”
- Art: In a visual arts class, students study a surrealist painting as the QFocus. Questions might include, “What emotions does this piece evoke?” or “What might the artist be saying about society?”
The Question Formulation Technique is an adaptable and transformative tool that places the power of inquiry into students’ hands. By learning how to ask and prioritize questions, students not only engage more deeply with content but also develop lifelong skills for learning and problem-solving.
Sources and Attribution
Primary Source
This section is informed by and adapted from:
- Right Question Institute. Question Formulation Technique (QFT) for Research Elements.
- Available at: Right Question Institute
Use of AI in Section Development
This section was developed using a combination of existing research, expert-informed insights, and AI-assisted drafting. ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used to:
- Synthesize and structure key concepts from the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) into a cohesive and accessible guide for educators.
- Clarify best practices for using QFT to develop student inquiry, critical thinking, and research skills.
- Enhance readability and coherence, ensuring that the QFT strategies are both research-based and practically applicable in educational settings.
While AI-assisted drafting provided a structured foundation, all final content was reviewed, revised, and contextualized to ensure accuracy, pedagogical effectiveness, and alignment with cited sources. This section remains grounded in institutional best practices and respects Creative Commons licensing where applicable.
