Introduction

Different Kinds of Inquiry

Explanation of the different types of inquiry shown:
A.	Totally open inquiry.
B.	Focused open inquiry. The domain of the observations and questions is limited in some way, e.g., by directions such as "Restrict your observations to the playing field" or "Ask questions about the topic decomposition", or simply by directing student questioning by only pointing out certain things while they are observing and questioning.
C.	Inquiry guided by the specific entity or phenomenon students are directed to observe, e.g., "Look at the beetles in the shrub versus the lawn areas."
D.	Inquiry guided by the methods students are directed to use, e.g., "Design a study using a soil thermometer."
E.	Inquiry guided by a pre-set question, e.g., "Design a study for the question, 'Which are tougher, sun or shade leaves?'"
F.	Static inquiry.
Source: This framework was generated by SYEFEST Lead Teachers and Ecologists based on numerous earlier versions found in the literature.