Scientific+Inquiry

=Scientific Inquiry=

Definition:
Inquiry is a multifaceted activity that involves making observations; posing questions; examining books and other sources of information to see what is already known; planning investigations; reviewing what is already known in light of experimental evidence; using tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data; proposing answers, explanations, and predictions; and communicating the results. Inquiry requires identification of assumptions, use of critical and logical thinking, and consideration of alternative explanations. (National Research Council, 1996)

Technique:


Inquiry is implemented at levels classified by the amount of teacher direction provided:
 * 1) Open: Completely student directed, student makes all decisions
 * 2) Guided: Question is provided to students but not methods or solutions; students design experiment, analyze data, create models, make conclusions
 * 3) Structured: Question and methods are provided to students; students analyze data, create models, make conclusions
 * 4) Confirmation: Completely teacher directed; outcome is known in advance by student

Application:

 * 1) Often applied to science instruction but can be applied to any field where raw data can be collected and processed to find patterns, draw conclusions and create new theories.
 * 2) Open inquiry is best used for independent student projects such as science fair.
 * 3) Guided/Structure inquiry is well suited for the classroom; students should use inquiry methods to develop theories and models.

Similarities to other models:

 * 1) Inductive thinking is utilized in inquiry; similar to Inductive Thinking, Hypothesis Development & Testing (Concept Attainment), Picture-Word Induction Model
 * 2) Often students work cooperatively in inquiry
 * 3) Open inquiry is similar to Non-Directive Teaching in that students direct their own studies

Caveats:

 * 1) What some teachers think is inquiry often is not; just because scientific equipment is involved does not make an inquiry
 * 2) Investigation should come before instruction, otherwise it is just confirmation
 * 3) The National Science Education Standards stress inquiry as the primary method by which science should be taught, but research shows that this is not what happens in most science classrooms.
 * 4) Inquiry should be connected to the development and refinement of theories and models; students should use the results of investigations to try to answer questions like "Why does this happen?"