4+Research+Models


 * To save on redundancy, I'm going to answer three of the four parts of the annotated citation in a generic context (What is included in the tool?, Why is this tool helpful to you now Or how will it help you in the future?, How did you find this tool?). Specifics about each will be answered under the "what are the strengths and weaknesses of the tool?" category.**


 * All of these tools include explanations of how the research models are used and most have step-by-step instructions that are supposed to be followed. They all also have visual maps of what the research model is supposed to look like. Since all of these are explanations of inquiry models, I had expected to find examples of inquiry projects but did not find that to be an accurate expectation for these tools.


 * These will be helpful to me in the future because inquiry is a research model that is gaining popularity rapidly so it would be helpful to know what it is and what model would be an appropriate way to approach an inquiry project.


 * I found all of these tools with two Google searches: either "Inquiry Based Learning" or "Inquiry Research Models". Perhaps this was not the most accurate way to find what I was looking for but I found some interesting material nonetheless.


 * 1. [|Youth Learn: How to: Inquiry]**


 * Most of this article is based on Dr. Cornelia Brunner's inquiry process which is about asking numerous questions about four essential topics. It was strong because the model was explained at a depth where someone like me, who has no experience with creating inquiry, understood what the roles were. I also liked that throughout the article there were embedded links to other topics about inquiry that would be helpful like asking good questions and age group. It showed a simple example of how a mundane subject could turn into an interesting inquiry project which I thought was extremely interesting.

Youth Learn. //How to: Inquiry//. Education Development Center, Incorporated, 2010. Web. 16 April 2010.


 * 2. [|Information Studies: Inquiry and Research]**


 * This research model was rather more sophisticated than what I was ready to look at but after I read through it carefully a few times I think I understand it a little better. I like especially how it has expectations for each grade level which gives you an idea of what needs to be included in inquiry projects. I would have preferred a more in-depth explanation like I was given with the Youth Learn research model or Annette Lamb's but this will be helpful once I am confident with the inquiry process.

Ontario School Library Association. //Information Studies: K-12.// Ontario School Library Association, 1998. Web. 16 April 2010.


 * 3. [|Information Age Inquiry]**


 * This was probably my favorite inquiry model. Annette Lamb does a great job breaking it into "The 8 Ws" and then explaining what the process of each of the 8 W's was. The only thing I could wish for was an example project to go along with the marvelous explanation.

Lamb, Annette. //The 8 W's of Information Inquiry//. Information Age Inquiry, 2005-2009. Web. 16 April 2010.


 * 4. [|Research Models]**


 * This is the Toronto District School Board's inquiry process which seems like a simplified version of what was in the Information Studies inquiry model. In fact, they have one of the models used in Information Studies the only difference is the Toronto District School Board explains it in a step-by-step manner that is truly helpful for me. I would like to note that this is an overview of what was done by the Ontario School Library Association, and not exactly a completely different source other than this one's succinctness.

Toronto District School Board. //The Inquiry & Research Process.// Ontario School Library Association, 1998. Web. 16 April. 2010.