Elaborative Interrogation
Ask “why?” and “how?” to deepen understanding
What the Research Says
Elaborative interrogation involves generating explanations for facts rather than simply memorising them. By asking “why is this true?” or “how does this work?”, you create deeper connections in memory. This is especially useful for D&T where the examiner rewards explanation, not just recall.
Evidence Base
| Study | Finding | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pressley et al. (1987) | Students who generated explanations recalled 72% vs 37% for read-only group | High |
| Dunlosky et al. (2013) | Rated elaborative interrogation as moderately effective across all subjects | Moderate |
| Chi et al. (1994) | Self-explanation during learning doubled problem-solving performance | High |
Step-by-Step Method
- 1Read a fact from your notes — e.g. “Aluminium is used for drinks cans.”
- 2Ask “Why?” — Why aluminium? Because it is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and can be easily formed into a cylindrical shape.
- 3Ask “What if?” — What if you used steel instead? It would be heavier and prone to rust, increasing transport costs and reducing shelf life.
- 4Link to other topics — How does this connect to sustainability? Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, supporting the circular economy.
Fact: Thermochromic pigments change colour with temperature. Why? Because the molecular structure shifts at a specific temperature, altering which wavelengths of light are reflected. How is this useful? Baby spoons that change colour when food is too hot — a safety application.
Fact: Injection moulding is used for mass production. Why not one-off? Because the mould is expensive to make, so the cost is only justified when spread across thousands of units. Why not 3D printing for mass? Too slow per unit and material limitations.
Common Pitfalls
- Shallow questions — “What is it?” is recall, not elaboration. Push deeper: “Why this material and not another?”
- Not writing down your explanations — Thinking is good; writing is better. The act of writing forces clarity.
When to Use This
Use elaborative interrogation whenever you encounter a fact that feels arbitrary. Spend 10–15 minutes per topic, writing 3–4 “why” chains. This is particularly effective for material selection questions in the exam, where the examiner wants reasoning, not just names.