The following points can be a useful guide and while not always possible, any preperation time should be used to consider whether the questions make sense (from not just from your point of view, but theirs) and will they achieve your goal?
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Curious mindset
Frame questions with an open and curious mindset. Instead of assuming details, approach the inquiry with a genuine desire to learn and understand.
Use open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses and exploration. Only use closed ended questions when you need a shorter specific answer.
Consider the respondent and tailor questions to the knowledge and perspective of the person your asking. While the question may make sense to get the best response ensure they also make sense from their perspective.
Actively listen to the responses, as they may provide valuable insights that lead to more refined and insightful follow-up questions. Where possible try and build on previous responses to frame questions to show engagement and it can help to go deeper into a specific topic.
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Clear and specific
While you don’t want to lead the answer you need to clearly define what you’re looking for and avoid vague and ambiguous language.
Ensure the questions are clearly relevant to the context or topic and eliminate unnecessary details that can lead to getting side tracked.
If the question is a complex consider how you can break it down into smaller more manageable parts. This will help get a clearer answer rather than potentially losing a critical element because it was rolled up into a larger question.
Timing
Whatever information you need, it is important to consider the timing. If the information is required by a specific deadline have you allowed yourself enough time to process and information collected to be able to use it effectively.