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Thick vs. Thin Questions

From the Seattle Academy Library

Thick vs. ThinQuestionsFrom the Seattle Academy Library

What makes a good research question?

We will be exploring the difference between thick and thin questions, specifically why thick questions are better for research. These questions require developing "big ideas" and synthesizing information from multiple sources of information.
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Where can you explore lots of different questions?

http://wonderopolis.org/
Thick vs. Thin Questions for Research
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Thin Questions

  • Facts
  • Who? What? Where? When?
  • Yes/no or short answers
  • Quick and easy to answer
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Working with Ambiguity

You can manage ambiguity if…

  • You can make decisions on the basis of the information you have, even if that isn’t the whole picture.
  • You can cope with uncertainty and risk.
  • You can adapt to change.
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Thick Questions

  • Ideas: Facts + opinions
  • Why? How?
  • Long answers
  • A lot of research is needed to arrive at a conclusion

Examples

Thin: What is 3D printing?

THICK: How can 3D printing benefit students and school?


Thin: When did the Olympics start?

THICK: How have the Olympics changed from when they first began?

Remember! THICK questions = THINKING

Your Task:

Develop a BIG IDEA question that will guide your research. Write it down in your research packet. You will then pull out sub-topics from within the question. These will organize your notes when you move into the note-taking phase of research.