Why ask questions? Sometimes being able to ask a good question is more important than finding a good answer.

If the video above does not work, then try How To Ask Good Questions: David Stork at TEDxStanleyPark

What makes a question the best?

• Clearly stated and unambiguous
• There must be a solution
• Solution method exists
• Improved solution methods will likely be useful
• Extremal
• Goes to hear of issue
• The “right” level
• Leads to new questions

General techniques

• Isolate components
• Consider all attributes and combinations of attributes
• Explore missing aspects
• Consider extereme cases
• How does X depend on Y?
• How to measure?
• Transisitions from state 1 to state 2
• Invert things
• Who, what, where, why, when?
• Analogies
• Different “languages” (math, code)
• Different disciplines