<p>Of course we know what we are doing.
We may not know the answer beforehand but that is a different thing from not knowing what an answer should provide (a problem solution).</p>

<p>When we make research questions then we want it to be <em>clearly defined</em> in such a way that a clear answer is possible. Some definite answer is possible. Or at least the question provides (implicitly) conditions on what a satisfying answer would be.</p>

<hr>

<p>Stackexchange is a <strong>question &amp; answer</strong> website, and not a website for discussion. Or at least not primarily and if there is discussion then it is meta discussion in order to get better questions and answers.</p>

<p>Open ended questions are vague about what a good answer would be. (e.g. consider this recent question <a href="https://stats.stackexchange.com/revisions/332695/2">https://stats.stackexchange.com/revisions/332695/2</a> where it is unclear what is <em>required</em> for an answer to be a good answer)</p>

<p>a question should be clearly defined such that a well formulated answer can be considered as a definite or at least sufficient answer.</p>

<p>Examples: </p>

<ul>
<li>How do we express the diffusion coefficient, when we assume that it can be expresses by the random thermal motion of particles that behave like spherical particles in a viscous liquid? </li>
<li>Can we write a tensor equation including a four dimensional space-time metric such that the postulates of general relativity are satisfied and the weak-gravity and low speed limit provide the classical field equations?</li>
<li>When observing the photoelectric effect, is there a relationship between the wavelength of the used light and the maximum of the energy of the ejected photons? </li>
</ul>
