Student Inquiry and Research Program Details
Inquiry Standards
Whether the investigation is conducted off-campus or on-campus, the SIR student will use the same inquiry standards to pursue the work: the investigation is broken down into four dimensions that are detailed below: planning, investigating, analyzing, and communicating. One should note, however, that the SIR investigation is not a linear process. As the investigation progresses, these four dimensions may interleave and overlap each other.
The student will return to primary and secondary sources, looking for new connections or newly produced research from other sources. The student will move back and forth between investigation and analysis as the work progresses, using what was previously done to refine focus and work, and to move forward in the investigation. The student will continually plan, work safely, and determine whether more or different materials are needed. Discussion and communication with the advisor and colleagues is ongoing.
Planning
A. Students engaged in SIR construct viable investigation questions
- The question exhibits a focus for the student's curiosity
- The question is compelling and complex for the student
B. Students engaged in SIR conduct scholarly background research
- The student uses multiple and appropriate primary and secondary sources
- The student evaluates the credibility of the source material
- The student creates a bibliography
C. Students engaged in SIR organize and plan their investigation
- The student states potential outcomes
- The student schedules and plans work
- The student addresses safety issues where appropriate
- The student acquires all necessary materials
D. Students engaged in SIR address implications of the investigation
- The student addresses ethical implications of the investigation
- The student discusses societal implications of the content of the investigation
Investigation
E. Students engaged in SIR select appropriate procedures and methods
- Procedures and methods are safe and available
- Procedures and methods can be conducted in the inquiry time frame
F. Students engaged in SIR use appropriate procedures and methods
- The student assesses risk of the procedures and works in a safe manner
- The student makes multiple observations/examines varied evidence
- The student selects variables/critical parameters
- The student develops controls/calibrate instruments, where appropriate
G. Students engaged in SIR document the investigation in a journal
- The journal contains a record of data and observations
- The journal contains a detailed record of the methods used
- The journal contains a record of sources and an annotated bibliography
- The journal documents discussions of the investigation with advisor and others
- The journal documents the student's thinking
H. Students engaged in SIR meet face-to-face, at least weekly with the advisor
- The student discusses and demonstrates progress
- The student discusses difficulties and possible solutions
Analysis
I. Students consider relationships among components of the investigation
- The student identifies the components
- The student organizes the components into coherent and cohesive form
- The student averages and graphs data if appropriate
- The student performs statistical analysis where appropriate
- The student conjectures relationships where appropriate
- The student constructs arguments based on information
- The student compares the investigation to work by others
- The student builds systematic arguments or synthesis
J. Students engaged in SIR draw and defend conclusions
- The student considers the limitations of the methods
- The student discusses uncertainty, if appropriate
- The student considers the contribution to the field
- The student reconsiders ethical and societal implications
Communication
K. Students engaged in SIR communicate orally to the public about their investigation
- The student uses good oratory and presentation skills
- The student conveys concise summary and significance
- The student uses appropriate visual aids
- The student balances evidence and discussion
- The student fields questions well
L. Students engaged in SIR communicate their investigation in written format
- The paper is grammatically and mechanically correct and discipline appropriate
- The paper is complete and thorough – see discipline specific paper guidelines
- The paper contains an abstract
- The paper contains appropriate visual resources
- The paper contains complete appropriate bibliography, references, or footnotes
- The paper contains an appendix or addendum as needed