Developing an Inquiry Question
Introduction: What makes a good inquiry question?
1. It has more than one answer but must be supported with evidence
Example: How is a hero different than a celebrity?
2. It is open ended and higher order (have no right or wrong)
Example: How do you know if a law is just?
3. It has very deep meaning
Example: Just suppose John A. MacDonald had not approved the development of residential schools in Canada. What would have happened differently?
4. It makes you think, know and wonder
Example: How could you invent a better government?
References:
http://www.scholastic.ca/education/teaching_tip/april2013.html
http://www.scholastic.ca/education/teaching_tip/march2013.html
1. It has more than one answer but must be supported with evidence
Example: How is a hero different than a celebrity?
2. It is open ended and higher order (have no right or wrong)
Example: How do you know if a law is just?
3. It has very deep meaning
Example: Just suppose John A. MacDonald had not approved the development of residential schools in Canada. What would have happened differently?
4. It makes you think, know and wonder
Example: How could you invent a better government?
References:
http://www.scholastic.ca/education/teaching_tip/april2013.html
http://www.scholastic.ca/education/teaching_tip/march2013.html
Coming up with your inquiry question
Step 1: Let’s sort the following “question starters” using a T chart. See the Bloom's Taxonomy chart for question starters.
yes/no, which, who, when, where, what, how, why, what if , suppose, in what ways might …
Can you add a few more to the critical inquiry list?
•Example 1: What year did the Industrial Revolution start?
•Example 2: In what ways has the Industrial Revolution influenced our current century?
Step 1: Let’s sort the following “question starters” using a T chart. See the Bloom's Taxonomy chart for question starters.
yes/no, which, who, when, where, what, how, why, what if , suppose, in what ways might …
Can you add a few more to the critical inquiry list?
•Example 1: What year did the Industrial Revolution start?
•Example 2: In what ways has the Industrial Revolution influenced our current century?
Step 2: Using the critical inquiry question words, Bloom’s taxonomy chart and your key word charts from last day create an inquiry question that:
-has more than one answer but must be supported with evidence-
-open ended and higher order (have no right or wrong)
-has very deep meaning
-makes you think, know and wonder
Step 3: Before you launch into your research, look at the inquiry question you have developed and see if it meets the following criteria:
1. You are interested in it
2. The question is open to research
3. You don't already know the answer
4. The question may have multiple possible answers
5. It has clear focus
6. The question should be reasonable
7. Try to avoid or rephrase questions which have a premise
8. Make sure you are defining all the terms in your question so you know exactly what you are asking
9. A new question can be asked once your information is gathered
10. Having the right answer is important to you.
http://cll.mcmaster.ca/resources/misc/good_inquiry_question.html
1. You are interested in it
2. The question is open to research
3. You don't already know the answer
4. The question may have multiple possible answers
5. It has clear focus
6. The question should be reasonable
7. Try to avoid or rephrase questions which have a premise
8. Make sure you are defining all the terms in your question so you know exactly what you are asking
9. A new question can be asked once your information is gathered
10. Having the right answer is important to you.
http://cll.mcmaster.ca/resources/misc/good_inquiry_question.html