Comparison of inquiry based different teaching methods in terms of affecting students' academic success: The case of chemical bonds

The purpose of this research is; to severally plan 7th Grade science course chemical bonds subject with "conventional teaching method", "inquiry based learning method", "inquiry based cooperative learning method" and "inquiry based online cooperative learning method"; apply teaching activities and at the end of the process compare effects on the students' academic success by evaluation studies. In line with this purpose; quasi-experimental design of quantitative research approach was applied. Sample of the research consists of 132 7th grade students from a public school in Yozgat. The sample was divided into four different groups each includes 32 students with random selection. Four different teaching methods; "conventional teaching method", "inquiry based learning method", "inquiry based cooperative learning method" and "inquiry based online cooperative learning method" were applied to these four groups. Data were collected by a 7th grade chemical bonds achievement test, which consists of 23 item and has a Kr-20 value of 0,88 developed by the researcher. The data gathered were analyzed with the help of SPSS software program. Independent and paired sample t- tests were both used in data analyses. Results of this research indicate that "inquiry based online cooperative learning method" was the most effective one in fostering academic success amongst others and it has high level of effect size.