Inquiry-based learning/4 levels of inquiry

For simplicity, we have broken inquiry learning into 4 levels, drawing from Banchi, H. and Bell, R. (2008) The Many Levels of Inquiry. The Learning Centre of the NSTA. (Retrieved October 2012)

Confirmation

In confirmation inquiry, people are provided with the question and procedure (method) where the results are known in advance, and confirmation of the results is the object of the inquiry. Confirmation inquiry is useful to reinforce a previously learned idea; to experience investigation processes; or to practice a specific inquiry skill, such as collecting and recording data. Ask yourself questions.

Structured

In structured inquiry, people are provided with the question and procedure (method), however the task is to generate an explanation that is supported by the evidence collected in the procedure.

Guided

In guided inquiry, people are provided with only the research question, and the task is to design the procedure (method) and to test the question and the resulting explanations. Because this kind of inquiry is more open than a confirmation or structured inquiry, it is most successful when people have had numerous opportunities to learn and practice different ways to plan experiments and record data.

Open

In open inquiry, people form questions, design procedures for carrying out an inquiry, and communicate their results.