Inquiry, Investigation, Experiment Scoring Guide
Name:
Total Points _____ / 100
| Attribute | Below Standard | At Standard | Above Standard | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seven points | eight or nine points | nine or ten points | ||
| Purpose of the investigation or question to investigate | The purpose is incomplete or the information collected from the observations are insufficient or not related to the stated purpose or question. | Identified a question (with the teacher's assistance) which they found interesting and testable. | Identified a question (without the teacher's assistance) which they found interesting and testable and collected observations that were useful in suggesting an answer to their question. May or may not have identified an hypothesis for the question. | ____ /10 |
| three points | eight or nine points | nine or ten points | ||
| Variables identified and controlled for the stateed purpose | Variables which are to be changed (independent) and variables that are going to be measured are not clearly defined. Resulting in insufficient information to suggest an answer for the questions or an explanation for the purpose and an incomplete study of the defined purpose or question. |
Variables selected to change (manipulate) and variables to be measured (responding) are identified and logically related. The selection of variables may result in data that could suggest explanation(s) or answers to the question or could also suggest ambiguity when the collected data are analyzed for the intended purpose or question. However, the investigators may not be aware of the ambiguity. | Variables selected to change (manipulate) and variables to be measured (responding) are logically related and clearly defined. The selected variables resulted in sufficient information with multiple trials to suggest verifiable explanations for the question. | ____ /10 |
| Optional Hypothesis | Hypothesis does not include two variables that might relate logically to the question. | Hypothesis includes two variables that relate logically to the question. | Hypothesis includes two variables that relate logically to the question and suggest how they might be related. | |
| three points | eight or nine points | nine or ten points | ||
| Expected outcome or hypothesis | Expected outcome or hypothesis is not stated, or complete, or does not related logically from the question or purpose. | The expected outcome or hypothesis is related, but flawed in some way. Variables are inadequate or miss aligned. May have utilized literature search to develop an expected outcome or hypothesis. | Expected outcome or hypothesis is reasonable, logical, and fits the purpose or questions to the variables, procedure, and possible outcomes. | ____ /10 |
| fourteen points | seventeen or eighteen points | nineteen or twenty points | ||
| Procedure | The procedure is incomplete, not sequential, or takes effort on the part of the reader to follow. Questions as to how the equipment will be set-up, utilized, and observations made are left for the reader. Variables, which may have an effect on the outcome of the experiment may have been omitted, or not considered to be controlled, or adequately described how they will be measured. | A well thought out complete and sequential (step-by-step) procedure is stated so a reader can understand and could replicate the investigation or experiment. It holds promise for collecting the information sought. The variables were logically selected to manipulate and control (changing one variable at a time or logically changing multiple variables simultaneously.) and methods for observations and measurements are included. | Procedure is sequential, complete, and stated so a reader can understand and could replicate the investigation or experiment. Variables are identified to manipulate and control in a systematic and logical manner that provided reliable observations and measurements that will convince others they are related to the manipulated and responding variables and might suggest answers and explanations for the question. Procedure includes multiple trials or repeated data collection to improve reliability of data. |
____ /20 |
| three points | eight or nine points | nine or ten points | ||
| Diagram(s) | The diagram(s) do not assist understanding. They are incomplete, hard to follow or missing. | The diagram(s) are present that are relevant to the nature of the experiment and add clarity for parts of the investigation. However, labels are missing or unclear in other instances. Oral explanations can be given to add clarity for the missing or unclear information. | The diagram(s) are present that help in clarification of the nature of the experiment. The diagram(s) are clearly labeled and include a model that explains a possible cause and effect relationship for the variables. | ____ /10 |
| (seven) | (eight or nine) | (nine or ten) | ||
| Results from the Investigation or Data | Data is missing or incomplete, misrepresented, or does not logically fit the question or purpose being investigated. | Includes the collected data accurately and clearly laid out out in a powerful way: chart, table, graph, color coded... | Data is recorded accurately and displayed clearly in a powerful way: chart, table, graph, color coded... . It is recorded in a manner that is easy to understand and suggests possible analysis. | ____ /10 |
| (seven) | (eight or nine) | (nine or ten) | ||
| Data Interpretation, Explanations, or Conclusions | Is a restating or summary of the results or data. Information is missing, incomplete, or does not logically match the data. | Includes analysis of data that attempts to explain how the manipulated variables are related to the responding variables. | Analysis of data clearly communicates beyond results and includes conclusion statements that tell how the manipulated variable(s) change with respect to the responding variables and suggests a relationship, pattern, or model to use to predict or explain future events. May also include suggestions for further investigations or questions. | ____ /10 |
| fourteen points | seventeen or eighteen points | nineteen or twenty points | ||
| Attitudes or Habits of Mind | Did not suggest ideas or initiate independent thinking or work. Probably would not have completed the investigation without assistance, much encouragement, or desire to avoid possible unpleasant consequences. | Interested enough to sustain persistence to complete the investigation. Seemed to be open to new ideas by suggesting multiple ideas and listening to other peoples' ideas. |
Curious, open minded, and skeptical enough to sustain persistence to achieve their desire to completely understand an explanation, related to the investigation, that they can have a high degree of confidence in its reliability and their ability to use it in their lives. |
____ 20 Total ___ /100 |