Research as Inquiry - Lesson Plan

Research as Inquiry frame demonstrates that the more you read the more you identify gaps in the literature or knowledge.

The first thing that the researcher needs to do is to ask many questions like:

https://tinyurl.com/ybxqamwa

The spectrum of inquiry ranges from asking simple questions and recall what you have learnt. The researcher should then try to decide what needs to be investigated by drawing a mind map. They can also engage with the community practitioners (asking open-ended questions) who have first-hand knowledge and use many sources of information to substantiate and expand ther interest.

Lesson Plan

Class: Economics 332

Time: 09:40 – 10:30

Pre-class Preparation: A week ago - Librarian in collaboration with the lecturer gave students an article to read to prepare for class.

Article: Mlambo, K, & Ncube, M 2011, 'Competition and Efficiency in the Banking Sector in South Africa', African Development Review/Revue Africaine De Developpement, 23, 1, pp. 4-15

 

Activity 1: Students need to create questions based on the information they got from the article.  
Learning Outcomes: Formulate questions
                                    Open ended exploration
                                    Maintain an open mind and a critical stance
Knowledge Practices: Determine an appropriate scope of investigation
                                      Use various research methods
                                      Draw resonable conclusions
   
Activity 2:  If students come up with similar questions, they can move to join groups that have  similar questions to facilitate collaboration. 

 Learning Outcomes: Breaking or unpacking complex questions
                                    Organise information in meaningful ways
                                    Seek multiple perspectives during information gathering 
Knowledge Practices: They can also identify the focus areas they need to discuss from the article.
                                       Seek appropriate help when needed
                                       Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and using information

Activity 3: As a group they select common questions and brainstorm how they could investigate the questions further.
 Learning Outcomes: Assess gaps
                                      Draw a reasonable conclusion based on the analysis
                                     Organise information

Knowledge Practices: Create a plan to find additional sources with the help of a Librarian.

                                            Share successes and raise additional questions that were revealed in the                                       process.

·                                                                                  Sharing the additional resources they’ve collected and their plans for                                      further investigation

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