Morningstar Inc. is taking an unconventional approach to investor relations by forgoing conference calls and meetings with analysts. Instead, the Chicago-based research firm is offering investors a chance to ask and have answered questions about the company in a monthly, public, question-and-answer session.

The $179.7 million company, which completed an initial public offering in May, actively solicits questions about its business from investors through promotions and the companyโ€™s Web site. On the first Friday of every month, the answers are not only posted on the Morningstar Web site, but they are included in the companyโ€™s 8-K filings.