7. Does every “inquiry-based” instructional lesson have to contain all of the scientific inquiry components?

"Inquiry-based" is commonly used to describe a learning experience where students ask questions pertaining to a specific content area and find ways to answer them. Thus, an inquiry-based lesson could include only one or two of the practices that define scientific inquiry, such as making observations, asking questions, or developing hypotheses. Therefore, the inclusion of every scientific inquiry component and practice is not necessary for every lesson that is based on inquiry. In contrast, a research investigation is a full inquiry that includes all components of scientific inquiry, including the scientific practices necessary to conceive, design, and conduct the investigation through its completion. Look at Us Now! Making Scientific Practices Matter in the Classroom…and Beyond presents full research investigations in which every scientific inquiry component is incorporated.

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