BlockSurvey provides a set of questioning frameworks to generate insightful follow-up questions, helping you gather deeper, more meaningful responses from your participants.
This guide explains the five frameworks we support OARS, 5 Whys, Socratic, Ethnographic, and Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), and when to use each.
Clarification, Elaboration, and Validation (OARS)
OARS stands for Open-ended questions, Affirmation, Reflection, and Summarization. It is a communication model designed to engage respondents by making them feel heard and valued. It enhances response quality through structured, thoughtful follow-ups.
Open-ended questions help gather more details.
Affirmation encourages the respondent.
Reflection shows you're listening and interested.
Summarization helps clarify the key points.
When to use it?
When you need to gather more details or ensure clarity in your responses.
In customer feedback or qualitative research where emotions and sentiments matter.
When you need to encourage respondents to elaborate on their thoughts.
Root-cause Analysis (5 Whys)
The 5 Whys technique helps uncover the root cause of an issue by repeatedly asking "Why?" to dig deeper into responses.
When to use it?
When diagnosing problems, challenges, or decision-making patterns.
Great for problem-solving in business processes and identifying areas for improvement.
Academic Research (Socratic)
Socratic questioning encourages critical thinking by challenging assumptions and reasoning, making respondents reflect deeply on their answers.
When to use it?
When you need analytical and well-reasoned responses.
In education, research, and strategic decision-making.
When you want respondents to challenge their perspectives.
Culture Assessments (Ethnographic)
Ethnographic questioning captures in-depth, real-world experiences by exploring respondents’ cultural, social, and personal backgrounds.
When to use it?
When you need to explore cultural norms or understand behavior patterns.
Ideal for market research, social studies, or user experience studies.
Progress Measurement (ORS)
ORS stands for Outcome Rating Scale. It is used to measure well-being and personal experiences across different life areas. It helps track changes and improvements over time.
When to use it?
When analyzing personal satisfaction, well-being, or mental health trends.
In therapy, coaching, and human resources to gauge individual progress.
When you need to identify areas needing intervention or support.
Choosing the Right Framework
Framework | Best For | Example Use Case |
OARS | Customer feedback, Qualitative research | Understanding why users abandon a feature |
5 Whys | Root cause analysis, problem-solving | Finding why customers cancel subscriptions |
Socratic | Valuating ideas, Challenging assumptions | Challenging assumptions in product preferences |
Ethnographic | UX research, Cultural studies | Exploring how users interact with a product in daily life |
ORS | Well-being assessment, HR, Mental Health | Tracking employee satisfaction over time |
Give it a try! Using the right follow-up questioning framework helps you deepen insights, improve response quality, and make better decisions based on your survey data.