Implementation Approach Inquiry in Science learning for Increase Ability Think Critical
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62872/adgf3c71Keywords:
Inquiry Approach, Science Learning, Critical Thinking, Science Education, Indonesian CurriculumAbstract
This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the inquiry approach in science learning to improve the critical thinking skills of junior high school students in Indonesia. The research employed a quasi-experimental method using a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 120 students were selected and divided into two groups: an experimental group (taught using the inquiry approach) and a control group (taught using conventional methods). The instrument used to measure critical thinking was developed based on Ennis's indicators and adapted to the Indonesian context. The analysis revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups, with an effect size of 3.75, indicating a substantial practical impact of the inquiry approach on students' critical thinking development. Each critical thinking component including interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, and explanation showed a significant improvement. The study also highlights that integrating local cultural contexts into inquiry-based learning enhances its relevance and effectiveness. These findings support the implementation of inquiry-based approaches as a more effective alternative to conventional teaching methods in fostering students' critical thinking skills in Indonesian science education
Downloads
References
Bybee, R. W. (2015). The BSCS 5E instructional model: Creating teachable moments . NSTA Press.
Chen, L., & Liu, M. (2025). The effect of inquiry-based learning on students' critical thinking skills in science education: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eurasian Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 21 (2), em2397.
Ennis, R.H. (2011). The nature of critical thinking: An outline of critical thinking dispositions and abilities. Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines, 26 (1), 1-8.
Facione , P. A. (2020). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts . Measured Reasons and The California Academic Press.
Pratama , AR, Setiawan, B., & Wijaya, C. (2023). Effectiveness of inquiry learning models to improve students' critical thinking abilities. International Journal of Science Education, 45 (8), 1234-1252.
Sari, DP, Widodo, A., & Riandi , R. (2023). Critical thinking skills of Indonesian junior high school students in science learning: A case study approach. Journal of Science Education Research, 8 (2), 45-62.
Sucilestari , R., & Arizona, K. (2020). The impact of inquiry-based learning on students' critical thinking skills in biology education. Indonesian Journal of Science Education, 4 (3), 112-125.
Widodo, A., Rochintaniawati , D., & Riandi , R. (2020). The implementation of inquiry-based learning in Indonesian science classrooms: Challenges and opportunities. Asia-Pacific Science Education, 6 (2), 287-305.
Zhang, H., & Wang, S. (2024). Inquiry vs. inquiry-creative: Emphasizing critical thinking skills of prospective STEM teachers in Indonesia. Education Sciences, 14 (6), 593.
Anjarwati , B., & Nasrudin, H. (2022). Implementation of guided inquiry based on contextual approach to improve students' critical thinking skills on reaction rate material. Journal of Science Education Research, 6 (1). https://doi.org/10.21831/jser.v6i1.47504
Arifin, Z., Sukarmin, S., Saputro , S., & Kamari, A. (2025). The effect of inquiry-based learning on students' critical thinking skills in science education: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eurasian Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 21 (4). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15988
Dewi, D., Ardhana, W., Chusniyah , T., & Sulianti , A. (2021). Inquiry-based learning implementation to improve critical thinking of prospective teachers. International Journal of Information and Educational Technology, 11 (12), 597–602. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2021.11.12.1575
Maknun , J. (2020). Implementation of guided inquiry learning model to improve understanding of physics concepts and critical thinking skills of vocational high school students. International Educational Studies, 13 (6), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v13n6p117
Ms, S., Jatmiko , B., & Prastowo , T. (2020). Validity and effectiveness of argument-driven inquiry model with contextual approaches to improve critical thinking skills in science learning. Razor : Scientific Journal of Science Education , 1 (2), 66–75. https://doi.org/10.46627/silet.v1i2.32
Pursitasari , I., Suhardi , E., Putra, A., & Rachman, I. (2020). Enhancement of students' critical thinking skills through science context-based inquiry learning. Indonesian Journal of Science Education, 9 (1), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v9i1.21884
Rohayati , M., Prastowo , S., & Suparti , S. (2023). Skills think critical elementary school students in science learning using e-LKPD with approach inquiry guided . Journal Pedagogy , 10 (4), 777–785. https://doi.org/10.33394/jp.v10i4.8410
Sutiani , A., Situmorang , M., & Silalahi , A. (2021). Implementation of an inquiry learning model with science literacy to improve student critical thinking skills. International Journal of Instruction, 14 (2), 237–254. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.1428a
Verawati, NNS, Harjono , A., Wahyudi, W., & Gummah , S. (2022). Inquiry-creative learning integrated with ethnoscience: Efforts to encourage prospective science teachers' critical thinking in Indonesia. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21 (9), 210–227. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.9.13
Wicaksono , I., Firdausy , J., Sutarto , S., Indrawati , I., & Ridlo , Z. (2024). The effect of inquiry learning model with STEM approach on students' critical thinking skills in science learning. Periodic Physics Education Science , 12 (3), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.20527/bipf.v12i3.19677.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dewi Andariya Ningsih (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.





