A+ Inquiry

Strategically answer questions that matter

Description

A+ Inquiry is a broadly applicable disciplined inquiry framework for strategically answering questions that matter by synthesizing common stages of evaluation, assessment, and research. The model may be utilized as a tool for planning or conducting a study, establishing common language for discussing inquiry processes, telling an evidence-based story, providing rationale for action, or diagnosing gaps in inquiry processes. A+ Inquiry uses alliteration and visualization to promote understanding of inquiry stages and how they support one another. It is displayed as a cyclical framework with eight stages connected by a hub. Each stage and the hub begin with the letter A. The stages are Absorb, Ask, Accumulate, Access, Analyze, Answer, Announce, and Apply, which are bound in the center by a hub of Awareness.

Absorb Stage

That which is already known about a context is acknowledged and a knowledge gap (i.e., a need to know more about something) is identified. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

What is already known about the context?
What is the knowledge gap that needs to be filled? (i.e., What is not known but should be known about the context?)
Why is it important to fill the knowledge gap?
Who is responsible for identifying the knowledge gap?

Ask Stage

Questions are formulated that, if answered, will help close the knowledge gap that was identified in the Absorb stage. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

What questions, if answered, could be formulated to help fill the knowledge gap identified in the Absorb stage?
Who is responsible for formulating the questions?

Awareness Stage

Methods are described and implemented to collect quantitative and/or qualitative data that may be analyzed to answer the question posed in the Ask stage. If required data were already collected, details of the data are described and collection of the data is verified. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

What data could help answer the questions posed in the Ask stage?
Do the data need to be collected or have they already been collected?
When and where are the data collected?
What instrument is utilized to collect the data?
What is the procedure for collecting the data?
Who is responsible for collecting the data?

Access Stage

Collected data are retrieved in preparation for analysis. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

Where are the data stored and retrieved after they have been collected in the Accumulate stage?
What is the procedure for retrieving the data in preparation for analysis?
Who is responsible for retrieving the data that will be analyzed?

Analyze Stage

Analysis of retrieved data is conducted. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

What data analysis methods are implemented to analyze the data that were retrieved in the Access stage?
What tools are required to analyze the data?
Who is responsible for analyzing the data?

Answer Stage

Questions that were posed in the Ask stage are answered, and the answers are interpreted, which may include identifying potential implications and limitations. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

What are the answers to the questions that were posed in the Ask stage, based on the analysis of the data that was conducted in the Analyze stage?
How do the answers relate to what is already known about the context (e.g., the existing knowledge about the context that was identified in the Absorb stage)?
What are the limitations of the answers?
What are the implications of the answers?
Who is responsible for interpreting the results?

Announce Stage

Answers (i.e., data analysis results), along with applicable potential implications and limitations, are communicated to appropriate stakeholders. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

Which stakeholders may benefit by being informed about the results that were revealed in the Answer stage?
Which answers, limitations, and implications are important to communicate to each stakeholder?
What is the procedure for disseminating the results to, and/or discussing the results with, the stakeholders?
Who is responsible for disseminating the results and other relevant information to the stakeholders?

Apply Stage

Decisions are made and actions are taken based on the answer, limitations and implications of the answer, and applicable discussions among stakeholders. Guiding questions in this stage may include:

What decisions or actions are informed by the results that were revealed in the Answer stage and, if appropriate, relevant discussion that occurred in the Announce stage?
Why are the decisions or actions important to implement?
What cautions are considered when making decisions or taking actions based on the results?
Who is responsible for making the decisions or taking the actions?

Awareness Hub

This is the hub connecting all stages of the A+ Inquiry framework. Awareness serves as a reminder that when operating in one stage of the framework, it is important to be aware of how steps taken in the stage align with the other stages of the framework. For example, when collecting data, it is important to know which knowledge gap the data are intended to fill, how the data will be analyzed, and potential decisions that could be made based on data analysis results.

Resources

Anderson, N. (2023). Program assessment manual. Minot State University. (see pp. 50-55)
Anderson, N. (2022). Synthesizing frameworks and tools to develop a plan for evaluating an online data utilization curriculum for teachers. Evaluation and Program Planning, 94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102148 (see pp. 6-8)
Anderson, N. C., Brockel, M. R., & Kana, T. E. (2014). Disciplined inquiry: Using the A+ Inquiry framework as a tool for eliminating data hoarding, mindless decision-making, and other barriers to effective ESA programming. Perspectives: A Journal of Research and Opinion About Educational Service Agencies, 20(3).
Anderson, N., Ova, A., Oliver, W., & Greer, D. (2018). Develop your data mindset: Essentials of educational data use [Online curriculum]. North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, Information Technology Department, Statewide Longitudinal Data System. https://www.slds.nd.gov/contact/develop-your-data-mindset
Anderson, N., Ova, A., Oliver, W., Greer, D., & Carson, E. (2020). Evaluating the Develop Your Data Mindset online curriculum for educators: An assessment of needs theory, processes and outcomes. North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, Information Technology Department, Statewide Longitudinal Data System. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34557.95206
Pontenila, S., Stephens, E., & Anderson, N. C. (2024). Using A+ Inquiry as a framework for exploring faculty needs related to program assessment workload. Intersection: A Journal at the Intersection of Assessment and Learning. https://doi.org/10.61669/001c.126752
Tenam-Zemach, M., Conn, D., Anderson, N. C., & Alstad, E. D. (2024). Utilizing an inquiry-agnostic framework to advance the development of a holistic teacher evaluation tool. Holistic Education Review, 4(2). https://her.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/her/article/view/3214

www.aplusinquiry.com

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse