Student Inquiry and Research Program Details
Classification of Students' Questions
An eight-category classification system for science-based questions has been developed by G. Marbach-Ad and P. G. Soklove and documented in Good Science Begins with Good Questions, G. Marbach-Ad and P. G. Soklove, revised. 4/14/00, JCST, XXX (3):192-195. Reproduced with permission from P.G. Soklove.
Typical Inquiry-based questions fall within those categories that promote analytic thinking, knowledge generation and application, and construction of meaning through mindful investigation. (Examples of question categories for others disciplines are being developed.)
Category and Characteristics of Question
A. Does not make logical or grammatical sense; or, is based on a basic misunderstanding or misconception; or does not fit in any other category. ("Translation seems to be a process of trial and error. Noting this, how is it so efficient in its production of protein?")
B. Question about a simple definition or simple fact that could be looked up in the textbook or other general reference. ("If motor neurons carry messages from the central nervous system, which neurons carry messages to the CNS?")
C. Question about a more complex definition, concept or fact explained fully in the textbook. ("Could you please explain the steps of meiosis and [indicate] after each step how many chromosomes are present?")
D. Ethical, moral, philosophical, or socio-political question (often begins with "Why..." such as "Why doesn't the FDA ban sunscreens with an SPF less than 30?")
E. Question for which the answer is a functional or evolutionary explanation (often begins with "Why...": "People wear clothes, so why do they still have body hair?" or, "Why can't we store excess proteins?")
F. Question requesting specific information not readily found in general reference or textbook. ("How do doctors know the correct dose of __?" or "Can antidepressants be harmful to a fetus?")
G. Question resulting from extended thought and synthesis of prior knowledge and information. ("Proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm. How do ribosomal proteins get into the nucleus?")
H. Question that contains within it the kernel of a research hypothesis. ("Carbo loading increases athletic performance in men, but not in women. Could this be because women's muscles tend to use lipids as an energy source during exercise instead of glycogen?")