The Inquiry Science Instruction Observation Protocol (ISIOP) Development Project

PI/PD:Daphne Minner, Ph.D.
Funder:National Science Foundation
Duration:2006 - 2009
This three-year research project, funded through the National Science Foundation's Evaluation Capacity Building program, is developing and rigorously testing an observation protocol (Inquiry Science Instruction Observation Protocol—ISIOP) that assists evaluators in determining the nature of and extent to which elements of inquiry science instruction are present in middle school classroom teaching. The protocol relies on work from two other projects at CSE, Inquiry Synthesis, and the Middle-Grades Science Mentoring Program, in addition to existing instruments from other researchers. The project goals are to (1) develop a middle-grades science classroom observational protocol based on a conceptual framework of inquiry science instruction from previous research and theoretical writings; (2) rigorously test the reliability and validity of the protocol; (3) assess the usability of the protocol by evaluators of science education programs; and (4) disseminate the protocol, reliability and validity trial results, and directions for use through professional evaluator networks.
For more information on this project, contact Daphne Minner at dminner@edc.org