Independent Investigation Grading Rubric Topic Beginning(1) Developing(2) Proficient(3) Admirable(4) Exemplary(5) Problem/Research Question The statement of the The problem is poorly stated. The problem is stated The problem is stated In addition to “admirable” problem is very limited or Independent and dependent adequately and the clearly and the independent students generate the missing altogether. variables are poorly identified. independent and dependent and dependent variables question for investigation Variables are not variables are identified. are clearly identified. based on their own identified. experiences, knowledge and research. The teacher plays little to no role. Hypothesis The hypothesis does not The ypothesis is incomplete, is The hypothesis describes how The hypothesis specifically In addition to “admirable” relate to the problem not clear, or is not supported the dependent variable should describes how the students generate their own being investigated or is by scientific reasoning. change if the independent dependent variable should relevant, and testable missing. variable is changed. Scientific change if the independent hypothesis based on prior reasoning is used to variable is changed. investigations of the research adequately justify the Scientific reasoning is used question or a literature hypothesis and the hypothesis to clearly justify the review. is mostly complete. hypothesis and the hypothesis is complete. Materials and Methods Materials have major Materials have some omissions Materials are completely Materials (with sizes and In addition to “admirable” omissions or errors. or errors. Methods have major presented. The methods quantities) are completely students design most of the Methods are incomplete, omissions, show little attempt describe how the experiment presented. The methods procedure with limited do not match the stated to control variables, only will be carried out with only completely list (in support from the teacher. problem, do not attempt somewhat match the problem minor omissions. The design numbered steps) how the Students have a thoughtful, to control variables or are or require major of the experiment generally experiment will be carried scientific rationale for their missing altogether. clarification/modifications. addresses the problem and out. The design of the choice of variables and give variables being considered. experiment specifically purposeful, focused attention Single set of data only. addresses the problem and to the design of controls and variables being considered. conditions that need to be Control present. Multiple controlled. sets of data incorporated.
Independent Investigation Grading Rubric Topic Beginning(1) Developing(2) Proficient(3) Admirable(4) Exemplary(5) Problem/Research Question The statement of the problem is very limited or missing altogether. Variables are not identified. The problem is poorly stated. Independent and dependent variables are poorly identified. The problem is stated adequately and the independent and dependent variables are identified. The problem is stated clearly and the independent and dependent variables are clearly identified. In addition to “admirable” students generate the question for investigation based on their own experiences, knowledge and research. The teacher plays little to no role. Hypothesis The hypothesis does not relate to the problem being investigated or is missing. The ypothesis is incomplete, is not clear, or is not supported by scientific reasoning. The hypothesis describes how the dependent variable should change if the independent variable is changed. Scientific reasoning is used to adequately justify the hypothesis and the hypothesis is mostly complete. The hypothesis specifically describes how the dependent variable should change if the independent variable is changed. Scientific reasoning is used to clearly justify the hypothesis and the hypothesis is complete. In addition to “admirable” students generate their own relevant, and testable hypothesis based on prior investigations of the research question or a literature review. Materials and Methods Materials have major omissions or errors. Methods are incomplete, do not match the stated problem, do not attempt to control variables or are missing altogether. Materials have some omissions or errors. Methods have major omissions, show little attempt to control variables, only somewhat match the problem or require major clarification/modifications. Materials are completely presented. The methods describe how the experiment will be carried out with only minor omissions. The design of the experiment generally addresses the problem and variables being considered. Single set of data only. Materials (with sizes and quantities) are completely presented. The methods completely list (in numbered steps) how the experiment will be carried out. The design of the experiment specifically addresses the problem and variables being considered. Control present. Multiple sets of data incorporated. In addition to “admirable” students design most of the procedure with limited support from the teacher. Students have a thoughtful, scientific rationale for their choice of variables and give purposeful, focused attention to the design of controls and conditions that need to be controlled.