Abstract
In the inquiry learning context, evaluation takes three forms: the evaluation of thought/conclusion on the basis of data; the evaluation of data validity; and the degree of student understanding of the concepts being learned and utilised in the conduct of the inquiry. Depending upon the style of inquiry taking place, evaluation has different approaches. The experimental approach is essentially scientific in its separation of the inquiry from surrounding reality. Experimental evaluation is inappropriate for educational environments as it does not possess relevance to the educational—and wider—environment in which the learning takes place. The naturalistic approach, used in geographical and historical inquiry, acknowledges that effective learning (and teaching) takes into account the environment in which that inquiry learning takes place.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2016). The Australian Curriculum V8.2. Sydney: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.
Berriet-Solliec, M., Labarthe, P., & Laurent, C. (2014). Goals of evaluation and types of evidence. Evaluation, 20(2), 195–213. doi:10.1177/1356389014529836.
Brown, F. (2003). Inquiry Learning: Teaching for conceptual change in EE. Green Teacher, 71(Summer), 31–33.
Dunlap, C. A. (2008). Effective evaluation through appreciative inquiry. Performance Improvement, 47(2), 23–29. doi:10.1002/pfi.181.
Lunsford, E., & Melear, C. T. (2004). Using scoring rubrics to evaluate inquiry. Journal of College Science Teaching, 34(1), 34–38.
Musoba, G. D. (2006). Using evaluation to close the inquiry loop. New Directions for Institutional Research, 130, 77–94. doi:10.1002/ir.181.
Nielsen, K. H., Harbsmeier, M., & Ries, C. J. (2012). Studying scientists and scholars in the field: An introduction. In K. H. Nielsen, M. Harbsmeier, & C. J. Ries (Eds.), Studying scientists and scholars in the field: Studies in the history of fieldwork and expeditions (pp. 9–28). Arhus/Kobenhavn, Denmark: Aarhus University Press.
Welch, W. W. (1983). Experimental inquiry and naturalistic inquiry: An evaluation. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20(2), 95–103. doi:10.1002/tea.3660200202.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Copyright information
© 2017 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kidman, G., Casinader, N. (2017). The Evaluation of Inquiry: The End of the Road?. In: Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning across Disciplines. Palgrave Pivot, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53463-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53463-7_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-53462-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53463-7
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)