Characteristics of Scientific Method for the 8th Grade Students' Inquiry Reports

The purpose of this study was to investigate eighth graders' scientific method of inquiry used in their reports. We developed a framework, 'Analysis of Scientific Methods and Information Sources', with a perspective of the Nature of Science to analyze students' planning method, data analysis, and information sources. We then compared results with levels of questions to find out whether they affected students' Scientific Method'. In addition, we analyzed students' responses of the survey questionnaire, e.g., how they liked Scientific Method. Results are as follows: First, 'planning method' consisted of 'consultant' and 'activities'. The 'activities' were 'experiment', 'correlational study', and `observation'. Students planned by utilizing 'consultant' more than the other. In case of planning 'activities', most of them were 'experiment'. Second, 'data analysis' consisted of 'summary', 'table', 'chart', graph' and so on. Students analyzed their data by using 'summary' frequently. The types of 'summary' were divided into 'simple summary' and 'relational statement'. Third, 'information sources' consisted of 'computer', 'library', and 'professional consultant'. Most of the students gathered information from 'computer'. Fourth, the types of 'planning method' and 'summary' were affected by the levels of questions. Fifth, some of the students reported their difficulty in 'planning method' because the collected information was less reliable, lacking, and having difficult technical terms.