What is the correct flag for questions which simply request external resources or book lists?

Question

Sometimes we see questions which seem to be simple requests for external resources. Another variant on this is the request for titles from the literature on some topic.

This is something that I have wondered about before, but I have in mind this question, at the moment. It is an understandable question, and could possibly lead to useful answers, but it also seems that the answers would be primarily opinion-based. Then again, many useful answers to musical questions seem to shade into opinion. Looking again, there is now an answer to this question which looks to contain useful information, and which mentions the first thing that I thought of when I read the question (the books of Jimmy Wyble).

From the help center page about on-topic questions, questions should not be about:

requesting external resources (questions should be specific and answerable on this site; external links are for references and supporting material)

Further, one of the reasons for closure is that a question would require answers which are primarily opinion-based.

Should a question such as the one linked to above be flagged as opinion-based, or for some other reason? Alternatively, given that many useful musical questions necessitate a measure of opinion, should such a question be flagged at all?

Answer 1

The first approach to take with any question that seems to have issues is to see if it can be improved. I feel that often, a comment suggesting how the question might be edited to fit the on-topic rules may be a friendlier and more productive action than a flag - especially with new users.

If that doesn't work, then, given that "requesting external resources" is mentioned on that page as off-topic, simply flagging as off-topic is appropriate.

This is one of many SE sites on which answers that have some basis in opinion are fine. I'd think that something that's 'primarily opinion-based' for our site would be something that's essentially subjective - 'what's the best guitar multi-effect pedal', for example. As currently worded, I agree with your comments on the example question that any issues are more likely to be with breadth and specificity; as I'm not an expert in jazz counterpoint though, I'm not going to flag, because for all I know it's possible that genuine experts in that topic would see a clear path to an answer.

Answer 2

Since i posted the question being referenced i should probably comment. For context, here are at least two questions specifically asking for external references, being passed and upvoted:

Online counterpoint materials

Resources for "popular" counterpoint?

For those of you interested in consistent moderation, reflecting on differences/similarities to my question could be worthwile.

Lastly, a question coming across as unclear might have to do with something else other than the actual question.