1. Appendix 3
Types and Examples of Inquiry Questions:
A) Definitional
Explain a specific term, concept, or idea. For example: “What is Human
Security?” or “What is personal security?” “What does poverty mean in your
country?” “Who are the homeless?”
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B) Decision Making
An examination of evidence so that a decision or conclusion can be made for
action. For example: “Is the Canadian government living up to its claim, both
nationally and internationally, that is proactive in the area of ‘child rights’?” “If the
government decided to end homelessness, what would the impact be on the tax
rate?” “Would that have an effect on the economic human security of others?”
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2. C) Comparative
To examine the similarities and/or differences between two or more things such
as ideas, people, events. For example, “How do everyday experiences of
homeless persons compare to the non-homeless?” “How is Canada’s cultural
identity more threatened by American influence than Germany’s of Britain’s?”
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D) Ranking
The hierarchical organization of items, ideas and events that share
commonalities. For example; “How would you rank the importance of five areas
of human security for a Canadian?” “What are your priorities for how government
should spend taxes in your country and community?” “Is environmental more
important than cultural, social or economic security?”
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E) Casual
To identify relationships among elements, cause and effect, similarities and
differences. For example; “How is an individual or a family effected by the state
of the nation’s ‘economic security’?” “What is the impact of a world economic
recession or depression upon your community or your country?”
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3. F) Speculative
These questions are based on a hypothetic situation. For example; “If you lost
your job, how would your views of ‘social security’ be changed?” “If you were a
recent immigrant or refugee, how does your sense of ‘cultural security’ alter?”
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