This study developed the Investigable Questioning Formulation Technique (IQFT) protocol to formulate investigable questions by following the procedures of design-based research. As guiding heuristics, the protocol used two provisional design principles based on teaching experience and previous studies that have applied tools for formulating questions, notably, the question formulation technique, SMART goals, and a typology of investigable and non-investigable questions. Two cycles comprising six lesson interventions were completed with two groups (n = 23, n = 25) of students in the same school in Malaysia. Questions were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and a question typology framework. Findings show the majority of students formulated comparison, exploratory, and validation of mental model questions. Some questions were posed in the prediction, descriptive, and problem-solving categories, but none were categorized as cause and effect, design and make, or pattern seeking. Implications for use of the IQFT protocol to help facilitate Malaysian students’ generation of investigable questions, design experiments, and implement open inquiry are discussed.
Open inquiry learning is a pupil-centred approach in which pupils generate investigable questions for the purpose of planning and implementing their own science investigation. However, generating investigable questions is not an easy task and requires a structured approach. Therefore, this study was conducted to improve the practice of a teacher-researcher in developing an Investigable Question Formulation Technique (IQFT) in a Malaysian school. This article attempts to answer the following research question: How can a teacher-researcher develop an Investigable Question Formulation Technique (IQFT) to facilitate pupils in generating investigable questions? IQFT, the intervention introduced in this study, contains eight main steps, which were carried out in two cycles. These steps involved the processes of (i) planning action, (ii) taking action, (iii) collecting and analysing data and (iv) reflecting. Unstructured observations, pictures and pupils' writing were among the data collected. Narrative analysis was conducted, to describe how the teacher-researcher applied IQFT as an approach to facilitate pupils developing investigable questions. Despite pupils being able to formulate investigable questions using IQFT, the teacher-researcher realised that pupils need to be continuously trained in this area. In addition, the teacherresearcher found that teachers need to adapt the educational approach according to the teaching context, to enhance the learning outcomes.
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