Principles of Scientific Inquiry

The logic of scientific inquiry involves six basic steps applicable to all types of research. As listed, they offer a disciplined approach to questioning, investigating, reasoning, and thinking. This approach to research is being applied to education through the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

• Principle 1: Pose Significant Questions That Can Be Investigated Empirically
• Principle 2: Link Research to Theory
• Principle 3: Use Methods That Permit Direct Investigation of Question
• Principle 4: Provide Coherent Chain of Rigorous Reasoning
• Principle 5: Replicate and Generalize
• Principle 6: Transparency and Scholarly Debate

To read the complete paper, click on The Logic and the Basic Principles of Scientific Based Research—Michael Feuer and Lisa Towne, Center for Education at the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.

Source:

U.S. Department of Education Seminar on Scientific Based Research, February 6, 2002