Science Research Process Rubric—High School

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Research Question

I describe my research question clearly, completely, and in great detail.

I clearly describe my research question.

I describe my research question, but some elements are missing.

My research question is missing, flawed, or incompletely described.

Predictions

I make pertinent predictions that can be researched and tested.

I make reasonable predictions that can be researched and tested.

My predictions may be difficult to research or test.

My predictions are not testable.

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is based on conjectures with conditions.

My hypothesis is based on conjectures with some conditions.

My hypothesis lacks some conjectures or conditions.

My hypothesis is missing or not based on conjectures.

Research Focus

My collection of relevant scientific background information focuses on the research question.

My collection of scientific background information is relevant to the research question.

My collection of scientific background information includes some information that is not relevant to the research question.

My collection of scientific background information is not relevant to the research question.

Search of Literature

My search of the literature includes many diverse, relevant sources, such as books, magazines, Web sites, and interviews. My information comes from highly credible sources.

My search of the literature includes an adequate amount of relevant, diverse sources. My information comes from credible sources.

My search of the literature includes some diversity of sources, but the quantity may be minimal. Some of my information comes from questionable sources.

My search of literature is limited by lack of diversity and quantity of sources. Much of my information comes from questionable sources.

Research Description

I completely describe my information, with no content errors, misstatements of fact, or misconceptions.

I completely describe my information, with only minor content errors, misstatements of fact, or misconceptions.

I do not completely describe my information, or my information has major content errors, misstatements of fact, or misconceptions.

I provide a limited or inaccurate description of the background information.

Experiment Design

My investigation is a well-constructed test of the hypothesis and includes a detailed experiment that answers the research question completely.

My investigation is a reasonably constructed test of the hypothesis and includes an experiment that answers the research question.

My investigation is an incompletely constructed test of the hypothesis, and contains small errors or answers the research question in only a limited extent.

My investigation is not relevant to the hypothesis or has serious errors.

Procedures: Variables

My procedures identify, address, and control all relevant independent and dependent variables.

My procedures identify, address, and control most independent and dependent variables.

My procedures identify, address, and control some independent and dependent variables.

My procedures do not address or adequately control key independent and dependent variables.

Procedures: Materials

My procedures include materials, labeled diagrams, and drawings of any equipment used to carry out the experiment.

My procedures include materials, diagrams, and drawings, but they are not clearly labeled.

My procedures include materials. Equipment might be mentioned, but is not drawn.

My procedures do not mention the materials or the equipment used to carry out experiment.

Procedures: Safety

I describe safety measures in detail.

I mention the safety measures I used.

I describe some safety measures.

I do not describe safety measures.

Procedures: Replication

I describe my investigation with accurate and complete information necessary for replication.

I describe my investigation with sufficient details for replication.

I describe my investigation, but some parts are missing, making it difficult to replicate.

My description is not sufficient to replicate the investigation.

Data Collection

I provide a detailed description of my methods for collecting data. I collected a large amount of data in the most efficient and appropriate ways.

I provide a description of my methods of collecting data. I collected a reasonable amount of data in a sufficient manner.

I provide a description of my methods of collecting data. I collected a minimal amount of data.

I do not provide a description of my methods of data collecting. I collected little or no data.

Data Analysis

I clearly organize my statistical analysis procedures, and explain my reasons for choosing them. I have no errors in my statistical analysis.

I provide valid and organized statistical analysis procedures. I have no errors in my analysis of the data that affect the outcome of the experiment.

I include some statistical analysis procedures and some original data. I have some errors in my statistical analysis of the data.

I do not include statistical analysis of the data. I have numerous errors in my statistical analysis of the data.

Data Display

I include all of my original data.
I record and display my data accurately, and I label all variables.

I include most of my original data. I record and display my data, but I sometimes do not label my variables.

I record and display my data, but I do not include labels or legends.

I do not record or display my data, or I do so incorrectly.

Analysis

My analysis identifies patterns, concepts, meanings, or structures in the data. I use data to support my statements.

My analysis clearly uses data to support my statements.

My analysis refers to data in the body of the report to support my statements.

My analysis does not use data to support my statements.

Analysis: Sources of Error

My analysis identifies all sources of error and explains the effect on results.

My analysis identifies most sources of error.

My analysis identifies one or two sources of error.

My analysis does not address the possibility of error.

Conclusion: Hypothesis

My conclusion includes a restatement of the hypothesis, supports or refutes it, and explains the role of the experiment in making the decision.

My conclusion includes a restatement of the hypothesis and supports or refutes it.

My conclusion provides some relationship to the hypothesis.

My conclusion is missing or shows no relationship to the hypothesis.

Conclusion: Interpretation of Results

My conclusion includes comparisons, interpretations, inferences, and deductions from the research information and prior knowledge.

My conclusion includes comparisons and interpretations, and it makes some inferences or deductions.

My conclusion compares or interprets some of the information, but it does not make inferences or deductions.

My conclusion does not interpret information or make inferences or deductions.

Conclusion: Implications

I recognize and discuss the scientific or social implications of my research, propose solutions, and recommend new avenues of experimentation.

I discuss how the research is useful and propose solutions or recommend new avenues of experimentation.

I state that the research is useful, but provide no reasoning. I suggest some solutions or further investigations, but they may not completely relate to the conclusion.

I do not discuss the usefulness of the research, and I do not recognize solutions that might follow from the knowledge gained.