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.