Research Project Checklist and Rubric for Grading

Due Dates: *Fri. Dec 14 ; **Fri. Dec 21; Wed. Jan 16 (Fri Jan 11 if going for Sci Fair add board and log book 50 pts EC)

Section
 Description of lab report items and resulting points.
Points Possible
Points received
I. Title Page
**-Title conveys nature of the investigation and has both the IV and the DV
**-Your name, Your teacher's name, Class, School
**-Date submitted
2
4
1
II. A. Abstract

**-Starts with a statement of what you want to find out in this investigation
**-A statement is made why the knowledge gained by this experiment is of interest or value.
**-A statement is made about the general background information found that led to a testable hypothesis (which is stated).
-Briefly describes what steps and materials were used to test the hypothesis.
-Briefly what data trends were derived as a result of the investigation.
-Briefly state whether the hypothesis was supported by the data and what were the implications of this study.

2
2
2
2
2
2

B. Background
**-Background information about the organisms used in this study is given.
**-Background information about the independent variable is given.
**-Background seems adequate in depth to help the experimenter to hypothesize
**-Background uses correct form of parenthetical references to "tie" all information to its source in the literature cited (CBE style guide (use "Name-Year")| See Ex. Res. Paper using CBE).
**-Background is written with at least 4 pages of double-spaced typing (font size 12 Times New Roman or Arial).
**-Background uses a minimum of 8 non-encyclopedia sources and has all information parenthetically referenced (author's last name, date) to the literature cited entries.

20
20
10
10
-Veto power
C. Literature Cited

**Please list your sources that you used in your "Backgroud" section. They should be in alphabetical order by the author's last name (CBE style guide (use "Name-Year")| See Ex. Res. Paper using CBE).
*-8 non-encyclopedia sources. No anonymous sources accepted (sources must have a human author with a last name).
*-listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name
*-contains at least 4 primary resources
*-copies of the sources with text highlited if it is used (books need to have bibliography information and pages used; journals sources should include entire article)



16
5
16
20

  
D. Problem
*-Stated with both an IV and DV
*-Stated as a question with a question mark for punctuation
1
1
E. Hypothesis
**-Hypothesis is stated by predicting what the effects of changing the IV will be on the DV
2
III. Methods
A. Materials
-Materials for the experiment are listed (not in paragraph form)
-Adequate details are given so the experiment could be replicated
1
1
B. Procedure
-Procedure is numbered in steps with the numbers on the left
-Procedure is written in 3rd person passive
-Procedure is written with enough detail that the experiment could be replicated
-Procedure is written to describe how the independent variable is manipulated

1
2
12
4

IV. Results
A. Data Table
-A data table is setup that has the raw data with at least 5 trials
-Data table has the units communicated for the numbers in it (sec, ml, mm, etc)
-Care was taken to neatly construct data table and clearly write in data figures
2
1
1
B. Graph

-A graph is constructed with a title containing both the IV and DV
-IV labels and units are on the X-axis
-DV labels and units are on the Y-axis
-The graph is the proper type (bar if the the X is in categories, line if X is ordinal numbers
-Graph neatly and cleary constructed with care

1
1
1
1
1

C. Statistics
-means (average), modes, or medians are included in data table
-differences in group averages is given
-appropriate inferential statistics is given (ttest, chitest, or correlation coefficients etc)

2
1
2

V. Discussion
Paragraph A
-The H1 is briefly restated
-Writer states whether the H1 was supported by the data
-Writer includes data summarizing figures (averages of groups)
-proper units are tagged to data figures
-differences between groups and ttest results are discussed
1
2
4
1
2
Paragraph B
-at least 2 things that went well with the experiment are given
-at least 2 things that did not go so well with the procedure of the experiment are given

2

2

Paragraph C
-a description is given as to how the 2 things that did not go so well may have affected the outcome of the experiment
-a suggestion is made as to how to eliminate the 2 things that did not go so well when the experiment is done again

2

2
Paragraph D
-two related problems are stated for further research
2
Paragraph E
-the latest understanding of the relationship of the IV to the DV is given
-at least 2 things are stated that the writer has learned from this lab experience
-results of this lab are related to what was found in the review of literature (background)

2
2
2
Grammar
Grammar usage was a problem throughout
1
Some grammar usage was a problem
2
Very few grammar errors
3
No apparent grammar errors
4
(1-4) X 3 = 12
Mechanics
Spelling and punctuation was a problem throughout
1
Some spelling and punctuation was a problem
2
Very few spelling and punctuation errors
3

No apparent spelling and punctuation errors
4

(1-4) x 3 = 12
Organization
Sentence structure was choppy and hard to read
1
Some sentence structure was a problem
2
Very few problems with sentence structure and smoothness of reading
3
This writeup read very smoothly because of proper sentence structure and flow of thoughts
4
(1-4) x 4 = 16
Formatting
Paper looks like it must have been for another teacher on another planet
1
Some of the paper was formatted as requested
2
Most of the paper was formatted as requested
3
Paper was formatted as requested
4
(1-4) x 2 = 8
 
Totals=
 out of 250