Rubric for Experimental Design

School
of Education

Last Update:
Aug 12, 2002

Rubric for "Experimental Design" component of the

Science Education Portfolio (SEP)

Based on a 20 point maximum

1. Statement of the specific question to be answered using the scientific method (0-1 points)

1 point: a research question that is easily measurable is clearly stated in the introductory paragraph

0 points: research is no clear and is not in first paragraph

2. Hypothesis (0-1 points)

1 point: hypothesis is clearly stated and contains measurable, manipulated and responding variables

0 points: hypothesis unclear and/or difficult to easily identify the measurable, manipulated and responding data

3. Materials needed (0-1 point)

1 point: all materials that are needed in the procedure section are clearly described

0 points: needed materials missing or not clearly described

4. Procedure (0-2 point)

2 points: experiment procedure clearly described in detail including how/when variables were measured and how repetition was achieved

1 point: procedure lacking in one or more of the following areas (adequate detail, repetition, operationalizing of variables)

0 points: procedure section missing

5. Identification of variables (0-2 points)

2 points: controlled, responding and manipulated variables clearly and correctly stated in a paragraph at the end of the procedure section

1 point: one of the types of variables missing or incorrectly stated

0 points: variables not defined

6. Present results (0-3 points)

3 points: raw data (including repeated trials) is clearly show, visual representation is provided, and statement explaining the relationship between the responding and manipulated variables is given

2 points: one of the criteria listed above is missing

1 points: two of the criteria listed above are missing

0 points: results not shown

7. Data analysis and conclusions (0-3 points)

3 points: conclusion to experiment clearly states relationship between the manipulated and responding variable and is supported by raw data

2 points: one area is missing (conclusion does not specify the demonstrated relationship between the manipulated and responding variables or conclusion is not supported by raw data)

1 point: conclusion stated, but no link to raw data or responding and manipulated variables is described

0 points: section missing

8. Recommended changes to future experiments (0-1 points)

1 point: description provided of how experiment might be improved based upon actual experiment

0 points: no recommended changes given

9. Quality of writing (0-4 points)

4 points: sentences are complete, grammar is excellent, no spelling errors, organization is clear - in short the piece is will written

3 points: generally well-written but there are a few errors in punctuation/spelling or organization is a bit unclear

2 points: some sentences are incomplete, some spelling errors, organization is muddled

1point: more than half of the sentences are incomplete, paragraph structure is largely missing, difficult to determine what student is saying

0 points: description makes no coherent sense, multiple errors in grammar, spelling, etc.

10. Format (0-2 points)

2 points: document is formatted as an html file in 12 point font and is ready to be posted to the SEP

1 point: format is html file but it appears that student has cut and pasted document from elsewhere and not adjusted/reviewed format

0 points: document submitted in other than html format or only as hard copy to instructor

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