<p>Comments on questions are so regular I think it is reasonable to suggest the OP to search some of the prior questions on the site (of course in addition to closing the question if a duplicate is known).</p>

<p>This might include re-tagging with more appropriate tags, which should change the list of related questions on the right hand side I believe, or being even more explicit (e.g. you should peruse the tag <a href="https://stats.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/likert" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;likert&#39;" rel="tag">likert</a> for similar questions).</p>

<p>Of course such comments can be taken in a negative light depending on inferred tone (whether malice was intended or not). Perhaps we can add to our <a href="https://stats.meta.stackexchange.com/q/771/1036">library of helpful responses</a> a response for such a situation. My first stab at a response is;</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Your question on <code>?X?</code> is fairly broad, and has likely been covered in
  previous questions on the site. Have you perused the related questions
  on the site? See for instance <code>[tag:your-tag-here]</code> and/or <code>[link to
  some search term](your link here)</code>.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I agree it can be annoying, but it just seems to be another part of the community moderation in an attempt to up-keep the site. This isn't terribly helpful in deciding when such prodding should be undertaken, but I guess I will leave that to the better judgement of regular contributors to particular topics.</p>
