A Scientific Method by Tri-Valley
(also Mr. Timm’s expectation for a “lab” report!)
(similar to what is expected at TV High School)
1) Purpose: This must be stated as a question. Where could you find one of those?! What do you hope to learn through experimenting? Focus, if you can on a single, testable variable. Think of independent and dependent variables. (What paper towel is the strongest?)Be sure it is a question that can be answered through experimentation. Not all can! Check your punctuation!
2) Hypothesis: This is the place to tell what you think might be the answer to your scientific question. You may apply some small research that you have done. It should be more than a mere prediction. Give credit to your source (science book, encyclopedia, internet, etc.).
A “If . . . . . then” statement may work best!
3) Procedures: Write this like a recipe. It explains how to conduct the experiment.
Materials: Include all of the ingredients, materials, tools, etc. to be gathered.
Steps: Follow with the numbered, step by step plan. Make sure your directions are so clear that a stranger could duplicate your findings. How will you manipulate the independent variables? Keep all of your other variables constant. Make steps to be sure your experiment is a controlled one. What will you observe (operational definition)? Where will you collect the data (data sheet)? How will you turn observations into numbers (quantify)?
4) Data: What information did you collect? Record it here. Use numbers to make your observations. This can be your pile of unorganized results. Often it is a chart. Think about sample size; the more data points you have, the better! To reflect your age and math abilities, there should be plenty of observations.
5) Graph: Shows the data that you collected in a visual form. Make one graph that tells the story of your data. Labels will match your independent and dependent variables. Since it is visual, color makes sense. So does a neat presentation. Line graphs and bar graphs are easy to use. Be sure to use proper labels and a title. By the way, “Graph” is not a good, descriptive title! Your Math teachers have taught you how to make good graphs. Use those skills (mean, median, or mode). Your text book also has some suggestions. See the skills handbook at the back of the book.
6) Conclusion: How does your experiment either answer the question in your original purpose? You do remember why you are doing the experiment don’t you? This is your final answer! “Yes, I was right!” does not make for a conclusion. Expand your thoughts. Use data to support your position. What would you do next? Can you find any faults with your procedure or data? What new questions come to mind? Give some insights. Be creative. Etc.
Revised 6/2/10
Lab Report Scoring Rubric / Check List
Name: ______Period: ______
In general, the more “yes” responses you have the better your score. Points may vary with the assignment. Deductions may be made for not attempting a section, lack of organization, being late, or errors to the writing. Rev. 6/2/10
1 Purpose
Is there a purpose stated (and punctuated) as a question?yesno
Does it indicate the independent variable?yesno
Is your question testable, observable, or quantifiable?yesno
2 Hypothesis
Does it focus on the variable being tested?yesno
Does it use any reasoning, research or facts?yesno
3 Procedures
Does it include a list of supplies needed?yesno
Is the list complete? yesno
Does it have a step-by-step plan?yesno
Are the steps clear?yesno
Are the steps complete (set up, calculations, safety, etc)?yesno
Does it include an operational definition?yesno
Is there an attempt to keep other variables constant (controlled)?yesno
4 Data
Is an organized data sheet used?yesno
Are observations quantified (used numbers) to show data?yesno
Sample Size. Are there many observations (worthy of subject, time allowed, and ability)? yes no
Are qualitative (descriptive) observations included as well?yesno
Does the data match the procedures (complete)?yesno
5 Graph
Does it have a title that matches the purpose?yesno
Is it labeled and/or keyed correctly?yesno
Is there one graph that reflects all of the quantified data?yesno
Does it tell the story of the data?yesno
Is it visually neat (color, straight lines, proportions, etc.)?yesno
6 Conclusion
Does it lead by first answering the question?yesno
Does it use specific quantitative data to help make the point?yesno
Does it “go further” by asking questions, suggesting other research, giving applications or making insights? yes no
Peer Reviewed by: ______Total ______/
Optional: Corrected Score? ______
Engineering Report Scoring Rubric / Check List
Name: ______Period: ______
In general, the more “yes” responses you have the better your score. Points may vary with the assignment. Deductions may be made for not attempting a section, lack of organization, being late, or errors to the writing. Rev. 3/16/11
1 Stated Problem
Does it clearly describe the issue?yesno
Does it address legitimate problems?yesno
2 Research(may be pulled from class research paper, or newly completed)
Is there evidence of background research?yesno
Have historical solutions been considered?yesno
3 Establish Criteria for Success
Are there procedures for how the prototype will be measured?yesno
Is there an attempt to match real world expectations though use of scale measurements? yes no
4 Prototype Construction
Are there multiple design ideas?yesno
Is there more than one prototype per design (considering subject, time allowed, $ and ability) yes no
Do designs have measurement to scale?yesno
Is there photographicevidence at this stage?yesno
5 Test and Analyze Results
Are the designs durable? If not, return to prototype construction.Pass?
Did the prototypes match the criteria set above?yesno
Are therequantitative observations?yesno
Are there qualitative observations?yesno
Is there photographic evidence at this stage?yesno
Is there a visual aid (graph, chart, table, etc.) for interpreting results?yesno
6 Conclusion
Is there a statement of the best choice considering the results?yesno
Does it explain how these findings solve the original problem?yesno
Is there application (business, marketing, building, etc.)yesno
Peer Reviewed by: ______Total ______/
Optional: Corrected Score? ______