Mixed methods research in inquiry-based instruction: an integrative review

ABSTRACT

This integrative literature review takes up the ongoing discussion about the place of mixed methods designs in educational research. We focus on studies that investigate the role of argumentation in inquiry-based learning, either as a means for enhancing inquiry (argument-based inquiry) or as a learning outcome (inquiry-based argument). We argue that this field of research offers a perfect example of the ways in which a paradigm and its research questions call for mixed-methods designs. We then present an integrative review to explore patterns and identify gaps in the literature, asking: (1) How frequently and in what ways are mixed methods used in the field? (2) What rationales are driving the use of mixed methods? and (3) To what extent is the potential of mixed methods research being realized in the field?. For readers studying argumentation in inquiry-based instruction, we hope to open up a critical dialogue about aims and methodologies in the field. For readers interested in mixed-methods designs we hope to offer a case study of how to build a rationale from within a discipline for leveraging the range of mixed methodologies to study a problem. We conclude with recommendations for further research.     

Undergraduate physics instruction and critical thinking ability. The effects of instruction in physics upon the critical thinking ability of undergraduate students

Do PSSC materials used with undergraduates lead to better scores on a critical thinking appraisal test? Is the increment greater than conventional instruction yields?     

The impact of inquiry-based learning on the critical thinking dispositions of pre-service science teachers

ABSTRACT

In the study, the impact of inquiry-based learning on pre-service teachers’ critical thinking dispositions was investigated. The sample of the study comprised of 56 pre-service teachers in the science education teacher education programme at the public university in the north of Turkey. In the study, quasi-experimental design with an experimental and a control group were applied to find out the impact of inquiry-based learning on the critical thinking dispositions of the pre-service teachers in the teacher education programme. The results showed that the pre-service teachers in the experimental group did not show statistically significant greater progress in terms of critical thinking dispositions than those in the control group. Teacher educators who are responsible for pedagogical courses in the teacher education programme should consider that the inquiry-based learning could not be effective method to improve pre-service teachers’ critical thinking dispositions. The results are discussed in relation to potential impact on science teacher education and implications for future research.     

Negotiating accountability during student teaching: the influence of an inquiry-based student teaching seminar

Drawing on the work of Russian literary critic, Mikhail Bakhtin, this article explores how an inquiry-based social studies student teaching seminar helped three preservice teachers negotiate the pressures of standards-based reforms during student teaching. The author first examines how initial perceptions of standardization and high-stakes testing corroded images of powerful teaching and created an ex post facto relationship with teaching social studies. The author then explores how an inquiry-based seminar mitigated these initial impressions by (1) suspending the authority of accountability; (2) creating contact through collaborative inquiry; and (3) refracting practice.     

Analysis of instruction for critical thinking in distance learning materials

This paper discusses procedures for the analysis of instructional strategies incorporated into distance learning materials, especially with regard to the development of the higher order cognitive ability—critical thinking. It examines the function of task analysis as an integral part of the instructional design process, analysing three different approaches available to the instructional designer towards the analysis of tasks required of distance learners. Comparing the learning hierarchy, the concept hierarchy, and the information processing approaches, it was found that the latter was the only one suitable for this current study because of the requirement that critical thinking be linked with domain‐specific knowledge, rather than be learned as an independent ability. Different algorithms for both the student and the designer/analyst are included as part of the information processing approach, and, although these methods are yet to be validated, they seem to offer sufficient promise, while allowing the analyst to make further decisions during the analysis.     

Critical thinking in criminology: critical reflections on learning and teaching

Fostering critical thinking abilities amongst students is one component of preparing them to navigate uncertain and complex social lives and employment circumstances. One conceptualisation of critical thinking, valuable in higher education, draws from critical theory to promote social justice and redress power inequities. This study explored how students’ critical thinking developed in a discrete core unit of criminology. Second and third year students were invited to participate in the research. Participants wrote critical reflections on how their thinking about crime and criminal justice had developed throughout the unit. Analysis of responses indicated that certain topics were salient to students, offering a way to engage them in deeper thinking. Students’ critical reflections showed evidence of personally relevant meaning-making, including the development of more nuanced thinking about crime and justice, and more compassionate rationales for aspiring to careers within the field. Implications for learning and teaching critical thinking in criminology are discussed.     

在物理教学中培养学生的批判性思维

批判性是思维的重要品质之一 ,批判性思维的过程是创造性的思维过程。批判性思维有助于学生创造精神的培养。引导和渗透是培养学生批判性思维的主要渠道。“问题探究式”教学、教会学生质疑、重视错例分析、探讨原始问题等都是培养批判性思维的可行途径。     

Suggestions for staff development in teaching critical thinking

Trends towards the devolution of responsibility for decision‐making to the school level are evident in education systems throughout the world. Underpinning policies of devolution are assumptions that school communities will work collaboratively to make decisions appropriate to the local context. However, collaborative processes do not occur automatically. In this paper, a case study of one school committee is presented to outline the processes used and to highlight the difficulties experienced in working collaboratively to develop a school behaviour management policy.     

将批判性思维的培养纳入英语专业写作教学

为了提升英语专业学生的思辨能力,以英语专业写作教学为例,研究了如何将培养学生的批判思维能力纳入英语专业教学的过程,使学生逐步掌握批判性思维的核心技能,养成勤于思考,乐于质疑的习惯。     

Fostering and assessing student critical thinking: From theory to teaching practice

In an age of innovation and digitalisation, critical thinking has become one of the most valued skills in the labour market. This paper shows how teachers can empower students to develop their students' critical thinking. After recalling why critical thinking matters for democracy and the economy, a definition of critical thinking is outlined. Next, a demonstration is given of how the concept critical thinking can be translated and simplified using teacher-friendly rubrics that can support the design or redesign of lesson plans, teacher observations and formative assessment—as well as standardised assessments. In conclusion, the paper argues that critical thinking should be mainstreamed in all subjects in school curricula, and that it leads to deeper understanding of subject matter content.     

Activating instruction: How to foster study and thinking skills in higher education

New instructional procedures have been developed and applied at the University of Helsinki, Department of Psychology since 1986. The aim of these procedures has been to enhance effective study skills. The idea is to stimulate active learning in students by so called activating instruction, which is theoretically based on a combination of Vygotsky’s ideas, applied cognitive science, and process-oriented instruction. In many courses, students have been able to choose a preferred form of instruction among the new and the traditional methods. A six-year longitudinal study was conducted in order to see, what kinds of choices psychology students (N=114) made and how these choices were connected with their academic progress. On the basis of student’s evaluations, the new methods differed significantly from traditional methods. Students associated the development of study skills and understanding more often with activating instruction than with traditional courses. The number of activating courses taken was related to success in final exam and thesis writing. Those who participated in activating instruction studied slower during the first three years of their studying, but were more successful in the long term.     

英语议论文写作教学中学生批判性思维能力的培养

目前学生的写作能力不是很理想。原因是教师在教学中过多的注重语法,阅读等能力的培养,而忽略了学生思维能力的提升。写作作为思维输出能力的重要体现。议论文作为重要的写作题材之一,教师可以从选材,同伴互评,教师评价,反馈日记等多样形式来培养学生的批判性思维能力。     

基于思辨与交流培养的大学英语教学模式改革

除了语言能力,思辨能力也是影响大学生英语交流效果的重要的因素。将思辨能力融入语言教学的基础上进行课堂翻转,通过批判性行动进行研究性教学能够促使教学实践螺旋式上升。     

大学英语教学中批判性思维的培养模式研究

作为大学生综合素质不可或缺的组成要素,批判性思维的培养理应成为大学英语课堂教学的重要目标和任务之一。本文先探讨了批判性思维的概念,又详细分析了大学英语教学中培养批判性思维的重要性,并以大学英语课堂使用的《新视野大学英语精读》第二册第七单元为例,对大学英语教学中培养批判性思维的教学模式进行了探讨。     

多向思维在语文教学中的运用

多向思维即“发散思维”或“辐射思维”,就是从多种角度寻找多种可能性,从多方面探求解决问题答案的思维过程,其表现形式有纵向思维、横向思维、正向思维、反向思维、求异思维以及联系和想像等。这些都是“创新思维”的有机组成部分。在教学中,教师要多启发学生,调动学生的创新欲望和创造力,鼓励学生在学习中大胆怀疑、勤于思考,从不同的思维角度和层面,运用不同的思维方法,寻求更多的见解和结论。     

Using higher order thinking questions to foster critical thinking: a classroom study

To determine if quizzes containing higher order thinking questions are related to critical thinking and test performance when utilised in conjunction with an immersion approach to instruction and effort-based grading, sections of an Educational Psychology course were assigned to one of three quizzing conditions. Quizzes contained factual multiple-choice questions, factual essay questions or essay items requiring higher order thinking. Critical thinking was measured with a pre-test–post-test design and the Watson–Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (Short Form). Classroom learning was assessed via multiple-choice and essay tests. Critical thinking increased equally across all sections. The section receiving higher order thinking quizzes performed significantly better than the other two sections on both the multiple-choice and essay portions of the classroom tests. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of methodological approaches to encouraging critical thinking.     

Using case studies in business education to promote networked thinking: findings of an intervention study

Case studies are central to the way management is currently taught at universities. Among other benefits attributed to the case study method is that it promotes networked thinking by learners. Networked thinking takes account of interactions and repercussions, making it crucial to decision-making within the complex system of rules that shapes current business reality. However, there is virtually no empirical evidence of the extent to which the case study method actually delivers the advantages attributed to it. This paper aims to remedy that gap in the literature. The paper considers the extent to which the case study method promotes networked thinking on the part of students on business and management courses. The research is designed as an intervention study involving pre- and post-testing. The study finds that students who have worked on a case study correctly identify more interactions in post-testing than in pre-testing.     

PBL教学法在实验教学中对学生批判性思维能力的培养

PBL教学是以问题为基础的模式,在实验教学中对培养学生批判性思维能力的效果显著。在对实验组采用PBL教学法教学、对照组采用传统的实验教学方法教学的基础上,应用CCTDI-CV评价2种教学方法对学生批判性思维能力的影响。经分析发现,PBL教学组学生的批判性思维能力高于对照组,两组间差异显著。实验教学中的PBL教学模式有助于学生批判性思维能力的培养。