Scientific Inquiry

Product Assessment Rubrics

Sir Winston Churchill CVI



Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

§         The cover title is not appropriate

§         Graphs/Tables/Diagrams are not numbered or titled

§         In text citations are not used.  A references cited page is not used or poorly constructed

§         Formatting and organization have major errors and omissions

§         The report does not follow a logical line and requires some effort to read

v        The cover title refers to the work but is poorly written

v        Graphs/Tables/Diagrams have titles/numbers but are formatted/used incorrectly

v        In text citations are used to a limited extent.  Citations and references cited pages are done incorrectly

v        Formatting and organization have some errors

v        The report is somewhat fragmented

Ø      The cover title is satisfactory

Ø      Graphs/Tables/Diagrams numbering and titles are done with few errors

Ø      The number and level of in text citations are appropriate.  Most in text citations and the references cited page are done correctly

Ø      Formatting and organization is satisfactory

Ø      The report is complete but somewhat sterile

ü      The cover title is eloquently stated

ü      All graphs/tables are correctly numbered and titled

ü      The use of in text citations is thorough and relevant.  They and the references cited page are done according to proper convention

ü      Formatting and report organization is exemplary

ü      The report has the feel of a well told story

 

 

Introduction

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

§         The nature of the problem and/or the research question are missing or incomplete

§         Background research is missing or not relevant to the problem and question at hand

§         The selection of independent, dependent, constants, and control variables is incomplete and/or has little regard for validity

§         The introduction does not conclude with a statement of predicted result or it does not relate to the research question

v     There are inconsistencies with the nature of the problem and research question

v     Background research is not consistent with the problem and question at hand

v     The selection of independent, dependent, constants, and control variables is completed with some regard for validity

v     There is a prediction that concludes the introduction but it is incomplete or poorly framed

Ø      The nature of the problem and research question are clear

Ø      Background research is provided that educates the reader about the nature of the researcher’s inquiry work

Ø      The selection of independent, dependent, constants, and control variables are made with some consideration to the intended method of study.

Ø      The introduction concludes with a prediction of outcome base on reflective prior knowledge

ü      The nature of the problem and research question are eloquently stated

ü      Background research is provided in a way that elucidates the purpose/importance of the work and draws the reader into the inquiry

ü      The selection of independent, dependent, constants, and control variables are justified and discussed in a cohesive approach to the intended method of study.

ü      The introduction concludes with a prediction of outcome base on reflective prior knowledge

 

 

 

 

Hypothesis/Materials/Method

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

§         The hypothesis is missing; is not an IF/Then statement; or its length makes it cumbersome

§         The materials list is incomplete and little thought has been given to amounts/concentrations

§         The described method confuses the issues around collecting sufficient relevant data and does little to control variables and limit experimental error

§         The method is an itemized list stating each step to be taken; is not in past tense; and others would have difficulty repeating it.

§         A diagram/photo is not supplied or has major problems with quality (clarity, detail, labels)

§         Safety considerations are not considered or are superficial

v     The hypothesis is an If/Then statement but is of an awkward, confusing, or lengthy nature

v     The materials list is complete but lacks information  about amounts/concentrations

v     The described method has issues with the collection of sufficient, relevant data and controlling variables to reduce experimental error

v     The method is an itemized list describing each step of the process individually.  It could be repeated by others to some degree

v     A diagram/photo is provided but may be lacking in clarity, accuracy or labeling

v     Safety considerations are presented but not addressed

Ø      The hypothesis is stated in a satisfactory, concise If/Then statement

Ø      The materials list is complete and includes amounts/concentrations

Ø      The method follows principles of proficient experimental design to collect sufficient, relevant data and limit experimental error

Ø      The method is a  narrative, written in past tense, and could be replicated by others with few issues

Ø      A clear and accurate diagram or photo with labels is provided

Ø      Safety considerations are identified and accounted for

Ø      The hypothesis is stated in a clear, concise If/Then statement that fits well with the research question

Ø      The materials list is complete and includes amounts/concentrations and preparatory instructions

Ø      The methods used to control internal validity and collect sufficient, relevant data are described clearly and accurately

Ø      The method is a well written narrative of what was done to produce the inquiry and could be replicated by others

Ø      A clear and accurate diagram or photo with labels is provided

Ø      Safety considerations are identified and accounted for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw Data Display and Manipulation

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

§         Data is presented in a haphazard manner at best without proper organization

§         Frequent errors are made concerning the use of labels and units

§         Frequent inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the error analysis exist

§         Calculations used are either of the wrong type or done incorrectly

§         A summary is not provided or is of little practical value

v     Data has been presented but the format chosen is not the ideal one for the job

v     Some titles and/or units may be inappropriate or missing

v     There are some inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the error analysis

v     Some errors may be evident in the formula  and/or method used for calculations

v     The summary does not clearly describe the trends/patterns in the data to the reader

Ø      Data is clearly and logically organized using tables, charts, and/or graphs where appropriate

Ø      All appropriate labels and units have been included in the appropriate places

Ø      Calculations contain an error analysis reflecting the accuracy of the instruments used

Ø      Where calculations are necessary the formula and method are accurately presented and explained

Ø      A summary statement points out to the reader any trends/patterns noticed in the data

Ø      The criteria described at level three are presented with exceptional clarity and visual impact

Ø      The strategies chosen for data manipulation and the success using them indicate an aptitude for  statistical analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion and Summary

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

§         The discussion does not arrive at an acceptable conclusion and does not use the data collected to formulate any interpretations

§         Background research was not used augment the discussion and knowledge of scientific concepts was limited

§         No reference is made to the hypothesis or trivial at best

§         Virtually no weaknesses in the investigation are identified …those that are tend to be of a trivial nature

§         A summary statement is not used or is poorly conceived

v     The discussion arrives at a conclusion but the interpretation of the results is not based on the data collected or is somewhat superficial

v     There is little evidence that background research or knowledge of scientific concepts was used to augment the  discussion

v     Reference is made to the hypothesis

v     Some of the weaknesses in the investigation are identified but little is done in the way of modification for improvement

v     There is a summary statement but it is not focused

Ø      The discussion arrives at a conclusion based on a valid interpretation of the results that includes data collected for this purpose

Ø      A synopsis of background research and scientific concepts relevant to the discussion at hand is included

Ø      Reference is made to the hypothesis and the ability of the researcher(s) to support it

Ø      Weaknesses in the investigation are identified and appropriate modifications suggested to overcome such problems if the inquiry was to be repeated

Ø      The summary statement identifies the key learning

Ø      The discussion is a well thought out, finely crafted work that takes the reader through: an interpretation of the data; background research congruent to the research question, hypothesis, and work at hand; an identification of weaknesses in the investigation along with modifications for improvement; and suggests new questions/directions the work might take in the future.  A summary statement highlights the major findings.