The Inquiry Skills are five powerful skill sets that are used throughout the inquiry process to generate questions, conduct sustained investigations, and take informed action. The development of these skills is integral to the success of students in academic settings, in their future careers, and in the civic life of their communities. The five Inquiry Skills are listed below, along with three key indicators for each skill.
Creative Problem Solving
- Identify problems and opportunities
- Generate, contribute, and select new ideas
- Test, refine, analyze, and evaluate ideas to create solutions
Critical Thinking
- Analyze, interpret, and reflect upon information and experiences to draw conclusions
- Ask critical questions
- Evaluate claims, evidence, and reasoning
Personal Agency
- Take ownership of work in terms of quality, degree of challenge, and completion
- Set and work toward goals, advocating for help and resources when needed
- Seek out and incorporate feedback from others to improve work
Communication
- Share ideas effectively through speaking, writing, and creating representations
- Listen, observe, and question to understand and interpret ideas, values, beliefs, and intentions
- Identify communication strategies appropriate to task and audience
Collaboration
- Work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams
- Demonstrate a willingness to listen, compromise, and assume shared responsibility
- Value contributions made by others