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Guided Inquiry Research Steps

 

Follow the Guided Inquiry Process Steps Below...

#1 - OPEN

Invitation to inquiry, open minds, and think about what sparks your curiosity.
OPEN is the invitation to inquiry, the beginning of the inquiry process.  The OPEN session inspires students to want to pursue the inquiry.  The OPENer is designed to spark conversation about ideas, themes, pose questions and problems, and highlight concepts related to the subject.  A successful opening enables students to connect to the content of the curriculum and helps them understand why it is important to them.
 
Video to help guide you...click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.
Six Creative Ways to Brainstorm Ideas https://youtu.be/yAidvTKX6xM     
 
Tools to help you brainstorm ideas...click on the titles on the left to OPEN the web link.
bubbl.us - website This is an easy to use mind mapping website to easily brainstorm new ideas.
Padlet -  website Express your ideas and thoughts on this virtual wall easily from any device on the web
 
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#2 - IMMERSE
Build background knowledge, connect with content, and discover interesting ideas together.
IMMERSE is to guide students to connect with the content and to discover interesting ideas to explore further.  IMMERSE connects all of the students in the inquiry community with the big picture of the curriculum content are of the inquiry.  The whole group experiences a shared orientation in preparation to beginning their search for information about interesting ideas in the next phase.
 
 
Video to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.  
Mapping Your Research Ideas https://youtu.be/jj-F6YVtsxI   
Basic Internet Search Strategies https://youtu.be/7RlB1CJovTs
Using Wikipedia to BEGIN Topic & Keyword Search https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cql_yVUYj6A
How to Search the Library Catalog for books https://youtu.be/CENsA_MHPt0
 
 
Tools to help you learn about your topic... click on the titles on the left to OPEN the web link.
Using Book for Research -tips                Books are great to skim the Table of Contents in the front or the Index in the back of the book for topic ideas and keywords. 
Define It & Discover Visual Dictionary - website Use this interactive English dictionary and thesaurus website to define words, synonyms and other connected words.
Explora -
database
(see librarian for user name/ password)
 This is an EBSCO database that provides a simple way to search for information using easy-to-browse categories and topic overviews.  This is a great place to start to get to know your topic.
Wikipedia -
website		 Wikipedia is a convenient way to search for topic phrases, gather background information and consult bibliography links, but NOT as a main source to cite/take notes.  Anyone can post to it, so it’s not a reliable source to use after #2 IMMERSE step of research.
Directory of Search Engines-
website          		 Google is not the only search engine you can use to find information.  Take a look at some of these search tools based on what you are looking for.
 
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#3 - EXPLORE

Explore interesting ideas, begin to look to see what information is available, and dive in.
EXPLORE stage is designed to give students the time to explore the ideas they discovered in the IMMERSE stage.  Students explore and browse all the different resources, perspectives, and points of view.  It is at this stage that students go from a general topic with the intent of finding a focus to research in more depth.
 
Video to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.  
How to Google like a Pro https://youtu.be/R0DQfwc72PM  
EBSCO Host Basic Search Introduction https://youtu.be/Im52V1A8p04
How to search the library catalog for books https://youtu.be/CENsA_MHPt0
 
Tools to help you learn more about your topic... click on the titles on the left to OPEN the web link.
Boolean Search Activity -
Google form		 This is a quick, 1-page Google form that walks student through steps on how to use Boolean operators to narrow your search results.  
Inquiry Log - 
handout		 This Inquiry Log can be used starting in EXPLORE stage through the CREATE stage.  You can easily keep track of all the web resources you find and narrow your resources down to the best ones that can support your final research topic.
Information Research Organizer -
handout
(Middle School)		 This document will help students record the information they collect during the Explore stage.  This tool will help students collect all the information they have gathered to further analyze, synthesize, and develop into concrete ideas they will need for their final assignment.
Information Research Organizer -
handout
(High School)		 This document will help students record the information they collect during the Explore stage.  This tool will help students collect all the information they have gathered to further analyze, synthesize, and develop into concrete ideas they will need for their final assignment.
Primary vs. Secondary Sources  -
explanation
Understand the difference between Primary vs. Secondary sources.  It is important to know the difference before you start your search.
EBSCO Host - database
(see librarian for user name/password)
 This is a powerful online reference system accessible via the Internet. It offers access to a variety of full text databases and popular databases from leading information providers. 
Explora -
database
(see librarian for user name/password)		 This is an EBSCO database that provides a simple way to search for information using easy-to-browse categories and topic overviews.  This is a great place to start to get to know your topic.
Points of View - database
(see librarian for user name/password)		 This is an EBSCO database that present multiple sides of an issue. This database provides rich content that can help students assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills.
 
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#4 - IDENTIFY

Pause and ponder your question, identify your inquiry question, and decide on your direction.
IDENTIFY is the phase where learners pause to reflect on all that has been learned so far and to IDENTIFY an important question to concentrate on before moving on.  The focus of this phase is to help students IDENTIFY and form a meaningful  inquiry question that will be the focus of their research. 
 
Videos to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.  
How to Develop a Good Research Topic Video https://youtu.be/nXNztCLYgxc     
How to Develop Keywords related to your Research Topic Video https://youtu.be/Ui-iFnS-9hs                                             
How to Read a Scholarly Article More Effectively https://youtu.be/EEVftUdfKtQ
 

Tools to help you identify with your topic... click on the titles on the left to OPEN the web link.
How to Narrow or Broaden Your Topic -tips This link provides questions to help you narrow or broaden your research topic with helpful examples. The better the TOPIC = the better (and easier) time researching!  
Help with your Thesis Statement -tips
Once you have selected an initial topic, the next step is to develop research questions. You'll do this by using probing questions, such as what, why, when, how, would/could, should.
Develop a draft Thesis Statement or Question that you intend to focus your research around. *Helpful video tutorials.
EBSCO Databases -databases
(see librarian for user name/
password)
 This is a powerful online reference system accessible via the Internet. It offers access to a variety of full text databases and popular databases from leading information providers. 
Scroll up under #3 EXPLORE section for specific database link that is most useful to help IDENTIFY your research topic.  Reminder, databases are C.R.A.A.P. Tested and easy to search.
 
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#5 - GATHER

Gather important information from the best resources, go broad and go deep.
GATHER phase is focused on guiding learners to choose what is personally meaningful about their inquiry question in the information sources that they found.  Our focus is to help students locate, evaluate, and use information that leads to deeper learning.  Students will spend more time in conducting a comprehensive search on their inquiry question.

 
Videos to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.
C.R.A.A.P. Test Explained https://youtu.be/h1SnZ_gsmGQ
The C.R.A.P. Test in Action https://youtu.be/lhwB4zQD4XA
How to Read a Scholarly Article https://youtu.be/3SmOq6gENPM?list=PLxjPOvBx3--Im5057DnJUsZB2SzkeDgAu
Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting: A Guide to Doing it Right! https://youtu.be/qoCdhJsS6Bw                               
Cite Your Sources: When & Why to Cite  https://youtu.be/ziG9LtIjRUU
A Brief Introduction to Easybib https://youtu.be/SL_ddUHSYC4
 
 
Tools to help you dive deeper into your topic... click on the titles on the left to OPEN the web link.
CRAAP Website Evaluation -
handout		 This 1-page handout explains each letter in the CRAAP Test and may be used to evaluate and score a website to determine quality.
CRAAP Website Evaluation -
Google Form
 
This is a simple, 1-page Google Form to use to assess student's understanding on using the C.R.A.A.P. Test to evaluate websites.
Evaluating Website Credibility - Google Form
This is a longer student activity, using Google Form, to evaluate a  website’s credibility using the C.R.A.A.P. Test.
 
EBSCO Databases -
databases
(see librarian for user name/password)
 Scroll up under #3 EXPLORE section for specific database link that is most useful to your research topic.  Reminder, databases are C.R.A.A.P. Tested + auto-cite MLA to assist and SAVE time!
How to Quote, Summarize or Paraphrase your Information-
tips		 Steps how-to take notes either quoting, summarizing or paraphrasing.  Helpful video tutorial (2 minutes)
 
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#6 - CREATE

Reflect on your learning, go beyond facts to make meaning, create to communicate your learning.
CREATE phase students are now reflecting on all that they have learned about their inquiry question and can now construct their own understanding and decide how best to represent their ideas, controversies, and theories for their audience. CREATing an inquiry product is a demonstration of learning and not simply a closing activity.  Students have to reflect on what they have learned, interpret and extend their ideas and reconnect into their own life, and create to communicate the knowledge and insights they have gained.
 
Videos to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.
How to Design an Effective Presentation https://youtu.be/HJgeF3ALl0g
Tips on Creating an Effective Presentation https://youtu.be/3QwC1cl0Wa4
Example of an Excellent PowerPoint Presentation https://youtu.be/nK7J0prl7f4
 
Tools to help you be creative... click on the titles on the left to OPEN the web link.
Presentation Tools for Students  - 
websites              
This is a great list of different presentation tools you can choose from.  Everything from slide presentations, video presentations, to web creation tools and much more.  Check out what's available here.
 
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#7 - SHARE

Learn from each other, share your learning, and tell your story.
Share is the culminating phase in the inquiry process.  This is where students will share the product they have created to show what they have learned.  Students become experts on their question and have the responsibility to share their insights with their audience.
 
Videos to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.
Examples of Good and Bad Presentations https://youtu.be/S5c1susCPAE                        
Public Speaking Tips https://youtu.be/fUgwc2WlPrk
 
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#8 - EVALUATE

Evaluate achievement of learning goals, reflect on the content, and reflect on the process.
EVALUATE is at the close of the inquiry process.  Students should be guided through self-reflection about their learning and to assess if the learning goals have been met.  You can use a variety of methods to help students evaluate their learning.
 
Video to help guide you... click on the URL on the right to VIEW the video.
Overview of Student Self-Assessment https://youtu.be/CkFWbC91PXQ
 
Tools to help you evaluate your learning...
-Google Forms - Explained
 You can use a Google Form to have students self-reflect and assess their learning.  This is an easy way to collect information from students and to evaluate what they have learned.  You can find a variety of example Google Forms to add to your drive and modify to suit your needs.
ask students - Explained
 Here are some great sample questions you can ask your students during the evaluation process. You can modify these questions to fit your class and/or students.