The general process of inquiry begins with the discovery of the problem and the formulation of the question, and after the discovery of the problem, the answer to the question is hypothesized according to one's existing knowledge and life experience. Design the program of investigation, including the selection of materials, design methods and steps. According to the investigation plan for investigation, get the results, and then analyze the results and assumptions are consistent, so as to draw conclusions. Not all problems are once the correct conclusion of the investigation. Sometimes, due to the method of investigation is not perfect, may also reach the wrong conclusion. Therefore, after drawing conclusions, it is necessary to reflect on the whole process of investigation. The general method of inquiry experiment steps: ask a question, make a hypothesis, make a plan, implement the plan, draw conclusions, expression and communication.
Scientific inquiry commonly used methods of observation, experimentation, investigation and data analysis.
Observation is a basic method of scientific inquiry. Scientific observation can be directly with the naked eye, but also with the help of magnifying glasses, microscopes and other instruments, or the use of cameras, video recorders, video cameras and other tools, and sometimes need to measure. Scientific observation should have a clear purpose; observation should be comprehensive, detailed, factual, and timely record; to plan, be patient; to think positively, timely record; to exchange views, discussion. The design of the experimental program should be closely related to the proposed questions and hypotheses. In the study of the effect of a condition on the object of study, the conditions are the same except that the conditions are different, the other conditions of the experiment is called a controlled experiment. General steps: find and propose a problem; collect information related to the problem; make a hypothesis; design an experimental plan; carry out and record the experiment; analyze the experimental phenomena; draw conclusions. Investigation is one of the common methods of scientific inquiry. When investigating, the first thing to do is to clarify the purpose of the investigation and the object of the investigation, to develop a reasonable investigation program. Sometimes in the investigation process because the scope of the investigation is very large, it is necessary to select a part of the survey as a sample. The survey process should be faithfully recorded. The results of the investigation should be organized and analyzed, sometimes using mathematical methods for statistics. Collecting and analyzing information is also one of the common methods of scientific inquiry. There are many ways to collect information. Going to the librarian to check the books and newspapers, visiting the people concerned, searching on the Internet. The forms of information include text, pictures, data and audio-visual materials. To obtain the information to be organized and analyzed, from which to find answers and clues to explore.