Biology New Procedure Item Template

How to Write Field Study Procedures on the Biology EOC/COE

  1. A procedure should be easy to follow with step-by-step directions.
  2. LABELED diagrams are an easy way to describe how to do something.
  3. LABELED Data Table asking for EXACT measurements
  4. Carefully read the investigative (field study) question. ONLY do what they are asking for.
  5. Reread the investigative question several times. Check off every bullet.
  6. A good way to check the procedure is to ask: Can someone else explain how the field study is to be done. Often you can identify which steps need more details.
  7. Did you say WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and HOW to do the experiment?

Be sure your procedure includes:

Biology New Field Study Item Template

> Logical steps to do the field study: What, When, Where, How EXACTLY

> Conditions to be compared: ONE manipulated (independent) variable tested 3+ ways

> Environmental conditions to be recorded

> How to record measurements: Data table

> How often measurements should be taken. Use EXACT times/periods

> Use the words: Record Data, and Repeat using something different

Attribute Name / Scoring Rubric for a Field Study / Point
Method for Collecting Data
(Controlled Variable) / The procedure states or implies a consistent sampling strategy or technique
(e.g., keep the sampling area the same,count at the same time every day). / 1
Conditions to be Compared (Independent/ manipulated Variable) / Only one independent variable (state variable from question) is identified or implied in the procedure or data table (if given). The independent variable must have at least three conditions to be credited. / 1
Data to be Collected (Dependent/ responding Variable) / The data collected to answer the field study question is identified or data table / 1
Record Measurements / The procedure states or implies measurements are recorded.
  1. If artificial data for the responding variable is given, this attribute cannot be credited.
  2. The phrases take measurement or to count cannot be used to mean record.
/ 1
Observations are Repeated / More than one observation for all conditions is planned, or implied in a data table, (e.g. Go to each location 2 times, sample multiple regions in the same area.) / 1
Record
Environmental Conditions / Procedure identifies or implies recorded observations of at least one local environmental condition that might have an effect on the focus variables
(e.g., record air temperature, date). / 1
Logical Steps / The steps of the procedure are detailed enough to repeat the procedure effectively (examples of illogical steps: no ending time indicated, no limitation to the sampling area is given, recording vague data or results). / 1
Total Points / 7
How does change in temperature affect the number of different insects that live on Mt. Rainer?