Guided inquiry examined in new School Library Research article

CHICAGO – New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR) examines perceptions and use of guided inquiry. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation and evaluation of school library programs. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

In their article "'Just Let Me Go at It': Exploring Students’ Use and Perceptions of Guided Inquiry," Kasey L. Garrison, Lee FitzGerald, and Alinda Sheerman share the results of the study they conducted investigating perceptions and use of guided inquiry by year 9 students at an Australian independent private school. The students were engaged in an inquiry unit in their personal development, health, and physical education class focused on “Overcoming Adversity.” 

Garrison and FitzGerald, both from Charles Sturt University, and Sheerman, from Broughton Anglican College, collaborated on a mixed-methods study collecting data from survey questionnaires, focus-group interviews, and students’ work in digital inquiry process journals and final product presentations. Findings indicate students understand important elements of the guided inquiry process; however, they differ on whether these aspects have a positive or negative effect on their learning and research process.

School Library Research (ISSN: 2165-1019) is the successor to School Library Media Research (ISSN: 1523-4320) and School Library Media Quarterly Online. The journal is peer-reviewed, indexed by H. W. Wilson's Library Literature and by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology and continues to welcome manuscripts that focus on high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation and evaluation of school library programs.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.