analysevraag

An analysevraag (Dutch for "analysis question") is a type of question that asks the respondent to perform analysis rather than simply describe or recount information. It invites breaking a subject into its components, examining relationships and mechanisms, and drawing justified conclusions based on evidence. In Dutch academic and professional contexts, analysevragen are common in research papers, exams, policy reports, and journalistic investigations.

Formulation and characteristics: analysevragen typically use action-oriented verbs such as analyseren (analyze), vergelijken (compare), evalueren (evaluate), verklaren (explain), and onderbouwen (justify). They specify the scope, context, and the criteria or frameworks to be used. Answering an analysevraag usually requires a method: identify relevant data or texts, apply analytical approaches, interpret findings, compare alternatives, and articulate a reasoned conclusion. These questions differ from beschrijvende vragen, which request facts or descriptions, and from verklarende vragen, which seek explanations of relationships or causes but still rely on analysis.

Examples of use: in literature, an analysevraag might be, “Which themes of power and guilt are present in the narrative, and how do they influence the protagonist’s development?” in data or social science, it could be, “Which factors significantly contribute to the decline in customer satisfaction, and how are these factors interrelated?” In policy or journalism, an analysevraag can prompt an assessment of the effectiveness of interventions and the justification of recommended actions.