Bob Jones

Remember there is a RIGHT question for a RIGHT answer. The words WHO, WHAT WHERE and HOW are the usual starters for most questions. BUT before you get started always talk through any questions with other students and teachers. They may be able to clarify what you really want.

Put yourself in the mind of the person you are sending the question to!

Imagine yourself at the end of a question asked by a student. He or she is studying the Peak District as part of a GCSE project. How would you react if the student's question was "Can you tell me about the Peak District?" The person answering the question has very little to go on and will not be sure what you want. BE SPECIFIC. If your study is looking at footpath erosion then discuss it with your friends and teachers first. Draw up some draft questions. Ask yourself "What do I really want to find out?" and "What do I know about already and what do I know where I can get something?". The crucial question is "What am I really unsure about?"

To give you some ideas on this think about which question below would get the best response.

1. Can you tell me about footpath erosion in the Peak District?

2. Where can I find statistics and information about footpath erosion in the Peak District? Are there any studies which show the rate of erosion and the methods of controlling the problem?

I am sure you got it. The second question is much more FOCUSED and gives the person answering your question more clues as to what you really want.

Information questions - consider looking yourself first

There are different types of questions. Some may be INFORMATION questions e.g. How many tonnes of coal did Britain produce last year? or can you tell me where I can find more information on Global Warming?( Please ask your teacher or librarian first because they may be able to help you immediately.) You can use a searcher www.lycos.co.uk is a good one so type as many specific keywords as possible.

Look for alternative opinions

Other questions may involve OPINIONS.These type of questions are often very interesting but be careful as they can be vague and often biased. The person answering will probably want to point out that there are different points of view. This is quite normal since in many aspects of geography there is not always 100% agreement, especially when it comes to PEOPLE!

You may ask a question that is difficult to answer. Ask a difficult question and you may not get a straightforward answer e.g.
"Is the world running out of food?"

This is a valid question but be prepared to read many different points of view.

To a child in the Sudan it may appear so... but in the affluent West ...NO. Is there a truthful answer?

Another question may be:
"Have out of town shopping centres destroyed Central Business Districts?"
The person answering would no doubt give evidence from differing points of view.

YES!... go to Dudley and see how the Merryhill shopping Centre has wrecked businesses.

OR

NO!...Oxford St in London has not suffered from Out of Town centres such as Brent Cross.

If answers do have different opinions then accept that there may be no one right answer. In responses to questions try to understand that all people will have different ATTITUDES and VALUES depending on who they are, what they do and where they live.

Who could agree with these questions?

1: Where would you place a new car factory in Britain?

2: Should Stoke City have moved to the Britannia Stadium?

As you can see, asking questions is not as easy as it seems.

Careful thought will get good results. If you try to imagine how the question appears to the person answering them then you should get a stimulating answer.

REMEMBER! The RIGHT question for the RIGHT answer.