AI as a Critical Partner: A Questioning Framework for Developing Research Problems in Work-Study Programs in Management Education

This article proposes a methodological framework designed to transform students' passive, generative use of artificial intelligence (AI) into a critical and reflective practice, particularly during the construction of their research problem in a work-study context. Faced with the emergence of pre-formatted, standardized research questions that are poorly anchored in organizational reality, we posit that the challenge lies not in access to the tool, but in the ability to interrogate it effectively. We present and structure a repertoire of 30 questions, organized into six categories, intended to guide students in conducting a demanding dialogue with AI assistants. This framework aims to help them assess the feasibility, relevance, methodological rigor, and originality of their research proposals, while developing their autonomy and critical thinking. The implementation of this questioning protocol in a pedagogical context is briefly discussed.