Costs and Benefits of students developing own research techniques

As the sophistication of their tools increases, their evidence grows richer and their techniques more systematic (Strand 2). This also leads to more disagreements about measurements and more discussions about the quality and reliability of data (Strand 3). Over time, the students’ reasoning about and understanding of trends and patterns grows more sophisticated (Strand 1) and their questions evolve further. They have more critical discussions about trade-offs among different methods of data collection and the fruitfulness of particular lines of investigation (Strands 3 and 4). As their questions grow more complex and their understanding of what counts as evidence grows more sophisticated, the design of their investigations becomes more nuanced and appropriate (Strands 1, 2, 3, and 4).

This jumped out at me as I struggle with the issue of having the students develop their own methods, techniques, 'tools' versus zeroing in on proven techniques. For instance, I can see that there may be many ideas of how to survey a given intertidal area- might it be best to let them have at it, experimenting with different methods so that they develop an understanding of the benefits and limitations of each technique- or, especially with small amount of time, is it better to set them up 'properly'. If I do have time- what is the value of them truly designing their own protocols?