Sometimes when addressing decisions to reopen a question I find that the OP has addressed the reason why the question was closed but still violates a condition for being open. As a common example a question was closed because it was unclear what was being asked. The question also seems to be off topic. But being unclear was the only reason given. The OP clarified the question but it was still off topic. In such a case I would vote to keep it closed. But for the benefit of the OP I would like to give my reason. I don't know of a mechanism to do this. Is there one? Should I address this as a comment in the post?
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asked Oct 15, 2017 at 21:43
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8$\begingroup$ Yes, that's right: a comment ought to do the trick. $\endgroup$– whuber ModCommented Oct 15, 2017 at 22:24
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2$\begingroup$ Prior question on a related topic: What to do if a question is both unclear and about software? $\endgroup$– Glen_bCommented Oct 16, 2017 at 4:24
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$\begingroup$ Thanks Glen_b that question and answer clearly relate to and add information related to my question. $\endgroup$– Michael R. ChernickCommented Oct 16, 2017 at 4:42
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1 Answer
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Ideally the main issues should be addressed when it is first closed (I often comment when voting to close for one reason with a brief mention that a post would close for other reasons as well -- something like "not only is this unclear, it appears to be overly broad..." etc), so that the OP is aware of the main problems to address.
My preference as a moderator when one problem it was closed for is fixed but other issues may remain is to open the post and re-close under the new reason (preferably with a comment to make the reasoning clear).
This is not always practical without a moderator (since the reopen may not succeed and even if it does the new close may not); I think a comment is a reasonable way to let the OP know that the question either may need additional editing to be on topic for our site or (if they prefer) should be flagged to migrate to a more suitable location.
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$\begingroup$ I think my idea is agreeable to you and whuber. Thank you for your answer. I was thinking of a situation where I was not involved with the original question but discovered it in the reopen queue. So I could only comment after the question had already been closed. I agree that giving the OP as much information about issues with the post is best and will follow that suggestion in the future. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 16, 2017 at 2:40
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1$\begingroup$ When I see something in the reopen queue I usually ask myself "Have they made an honest attempt to deal with the problem it was closed for?". If they have I vote to reopen. It may well be that it still has other issues but (a) I am not infallible and I would prefer to let others more expert re-close it, (b) it is discouraging for them if they have done what they were asked to do but it never even gets re-opened. If I could work out a way to do what Glen_b suggests I might do that instead. $\endgroup$– mdeweyCommented Oct 16, 2017 at 9:12