An Authentic Alternative to the Scientific Method

The Activity Model is a complex model that can serve as an alternative to the scientific method. Based on 10 activities that research scientists do as part of their work, this new model des... See More

The Activity Model is a complex model that can serve as an alternative to the scientific method. Based on 10 activities that research scientists do as part of their work, this new model describes the extent to which students do science in class. It is based on authentic scientific inquiry and can serve as a method of evaluation of materials for teachers . The authors recommend that teachers apply this model in their classes as it seems more fitting than just using the traditional "scientific method."

Scientific Method Plus Thinking

While the author validates the old model of the scientific method and its deductive approach with proscribed deductive steps he provides a newer activity model that includes 10 activities th... See More

While the author validates the old model of the scientific method and its deductive approach with proscribed deductive steps he provides a newer activity model that includes 10 activities that scientists actually engage in. Reflecting on the findings, articulating the experience, and other more familiar activities as defining the problem are part of this model that states that scientists may go through these activities more than once and in random order. This model in my opinion includes thought processes with the more traditional doing aspects of performing the scientific method and as a result comes up with steps for scientific inquiry.