questionings

Questionings refers to the act or process of asking questions, or to a set of questions posed during an interaction. The term can denote both the act of questioning and the instances in which questions are asked, such as interviews, interrogations, inquiries, or surveys. While the gerund questioning emphasizes ongoing or repeated questioning, the plural “questionings” is typically used to discuss multiple episodes, occasions, or types of questioning.

Etymology and usage: Questioning derives from the verb question, itself from Latin quaerere meaning to seek or ask. The suffix -ing marks a noun form describing activity. The plural form questionings is used in contexts that emphasize multiple question tasks or sequences, though in everyday language “questioning” as a gerund is more common.

Contexts and applications: In law enforcement, questionings can refer to interviews or interrogations conducted to obtain information. In journalism, they describe the process of asking questions in interviews or at press conferences. In research, questionings refer to the sets of questions used in surveys, interviews, or qualitative studies. In linguistics, questioning can also describe syntactic forms used to elicit information, such as yes-no or wh-questions, though this sense is more specialized.

Methodology: Questionings may be structured (predetermined questions), semi-structured (core questions with probes), or unstructured (open-ended). They can be conducted in person, by telephone, or online, and responses are typically recorded and analyzed for themes, patterns, or factual information. Ethical considerations include avoiding leading questions, ensuring informed consent, protecting privacy, and accounting for cultural context.

See also: interrogation, interview, survey, inquiry.