Science Inquiry, Argument and Language: A Case for the Science Writing Heuristic

Science Inquiry, Argument and Language describes research that has focused on addressing the issue of embedding language practices within science inquiry through the use of the Science Writing Heuristic approach. In recent years much attention has been given to two areas of science education, scientific argumentation and science literacy. The research into scientific argument have adopted different orientations with some focusing on science argument as separate to normal teaching practices, that is, teaching students about science argument prior to using it in the classroom context; while others have focused on embedding science argument as a critical component of the inquiry process.
The current emphasis on science literacy has emerged because of greater understanding of the role of language in doing and reporting on science. Science is not viewed as being separate from language, and thus there is emerging research emphasis on how best to improving science teaching and learning through a language perspective. Again the research orientations are parallel to the research on scientific argumentation in that the focus is generally between instruction separate to practice as opposed to embedding language practices within the science classroom context.

Brian Hand is the coauthor of the Heinemann titles Negotiating Science and Questions, Claims, and Evidence. He is a science educator at the University of Iowa who is involved in research on student learning and how we use language in science classrooms to help the learning process. Brian was a school teacher for eleven years before moving into the university system, where he has published in a wide range of journals.