This exploratory study examines how a series of laboratory activities designed
using a new instructional model, called Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI), influences
the ways students participate in scientific argumentation and the quality of the scientific
arguments they craft as part of this process. The two outcomes of interest were assessed
with a performance task that required small groups of students to explain a discrepant
event and then generate a scientific argument. Student performance on this task was compared
before and after an 18-week intervention that included 15 ADI laboratory activities.
The results of this study suggest that the students had better disciplinary engagement and
produced better arguments after the intervention although some learning issues arose that
seemed to hinder the students’ overall improvement. The conclusions and implications
of this research include several recommendations for improving the nature of laboratorybased
instruction to help cultivate the knowledge and skills students need to participate in
scientific argumentation and to craft written arguments.