Investigation of the effect of guided inquiry approach supported by digital stories on attitude towards inquiry

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effects of inquiry activities supported by digital storytelling on the attitudes of 6th-grade students towards inquiry, sub-dimensions of attitudes, and the change of attitudes depending on gender. The method of the study was determined as the embedded design, one of the mixed method research designs. The study was carried out with a total of 27 students, 12 female and 15 male. In the quantitative dimension of the study, one group pretest-posttest research design was used. Quantitative data were obtained through the Attitude Scale towards Research-Questioning. The qualitative dimension of the study was designed as a case study model. Qualitative data were obtained by using researcher diaries, student group diaries, and semi-structured weekly focus group interviews. As a result, a statistically significant difference was found between the students’ ASTRQ pretest-posttest scores in favor of the posttest. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test scores of the sub-factors of signification and avoiding, excluding the curiosity factor, in the attitude scale. These results were also supported by the findings obtained from qualitative measurement tools. The students’ ASTRQ post-test scores differed statistically according to gender, which was in favor of female students.