A "hot question" can refer to several things depending on the context. It's not a standardized term with a single definition.
1. Popular or Trending Questions
In online forums and communities like Stack Overflow or Reddit, a "hot question" is one that's currently receiving a lot of attention, views, and engagement. This typically means it's a popular topic, recently asked, or actively being discussed. Examples include questions on trending technologies, timely news events, or popular products. The Stack Overflow references highlight this interpretation, where "hot network questions" are those that are currently popular across the entire network of Stack Exchange sites (https://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/383115/what-classifies-a-question-as-a-hot-network-question).
- Characteristics: High view counts, many upvotes/positive ratings, frequent comments and answers.
- Example: A question about the latest software update on a popular platform.
2. A Question Designed to Stimulate Discussion
In educational settings, a "hot question" is a question posed to encourage active participation and generate a diverse range of responses from a group. This method, as described in the UCL Moodle guide (https://ucldata.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/MoodleResourceCentre/pages/31863852/M18+-+Hot+Question), aims to identify popular topics or questions within a group.
- Purpose: To elicit a wide range of opinions and perspectives.
- Example: "What are the most pressing challenges facing our society today?"
3. A Question About a Currently Relevant or "Hot" Topic
This is a more general use of the term. A "hot question" could simply be one related to a current event or topic that's generating a lot of buzz or debate. For example, a question about a controversial new product launch would be considered a "hot question."
- Characteristics: Relevance to current events, popular culture, or trending discussions.
- Example: "What are your thoughts on the recent political scandal?"
In summary, the meaning of "hot question" is context-dependent. It can signify popularity, engagement-driving intent, or simple topical relevance.
