Big Idea #1

Big Idea #1 The Process of Inquiry

What is Inquiry?
To inquire :
To ask about
To search into
To seek for information by questioning
To make an investigation

The Process of Inquiry
A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity;
the processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions,
construction of investigations into those questions,
the collection of appropriate data,
the evaluation of the meaning of those data,
and the communication of this evaluation.

A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity;
Break it down
Multi --- many
Faceted --- faces
Many parts; many ways of looking at it; many aspects

The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions
Can be answered using empirical evidence (measured, observed)
Not all questions can be answered by science:
Philosophy
Religion
Aesthetics

construction of investigations into those questions,
Design or planning of investigation (not always an experiment)
Comparing outcomes
Controlling variables
Avoiding bias

the collection of appropriate data ,
Do your investigation
Record the data from:
an experiment,
a survey,
a series of systematic observations
other available sources

the evaluation of the meaning of those data,
So what?
Is it accurate? Reliable? (multiple trials)
Does it answer the question?
Does it support or not support the hypothesis?

and the communication of this evaluation.
Make findings public
Open for others to peer review
Evaluate
Replicate
Build upon

B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of “the scientific method.”
Not linear (steps don’t always follow one after the other)
Sometimes no formal “if, then” hypothesis
May not include an “experiment”; done by detailed observations, math, logic and reasoning.
Could uses other people’s data

C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.
Argue, debate or disagree supported by evidence and logic

D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference ; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

Observe:
To be or become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention ; notice.
To watch attentively: observe a child's behavior.
To make a systematic or scientific observation: observe the phases of the moon.

Inference:
a. The act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true.
b. The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence

Reflection on the Process of Inquiry
Provide examples of how you used the process of inquiry in your investigation.
How was it a “multifaceted activity”?
How did it differ from the traditional “scientific method”?
How was argumentation used?
How was your “science knowledge” based on observation and inference?

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Big Idea #1

by mysciencespace on Sep 02, 2008

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Big Idea #1 — Presentation Transcript