iRubric: Scientific Investigation rubric

Questions and goal(s) of investigation not stated clearly or appropriately (e.g., may be too broad, superficial, specific, and/or at a structural level) • Few, inappropriate, or irrelevant sources reviewed for background information • Review of background information does not aid in answering question(s) and goal(s) of current project

Questions and goal(s) of investigation stated with sufficient, general focus • Multiple sources (mostly relevant) used for background information • Surface level of evaluation is offered, with only confirmatory (and no disconfirmatory) evidence to support ideas

Questions and goal(s) of project stated explicitly, with appropriate focus • Multiple relevant sources searched for background information • Sufficient number of sources to provide a representative depiction of relevant background information • Review of background information considers both confirming and disconfirming evidence • Method of investigation sufficient to answer all research questions • Analysis strategy is direct, competent, and appropriate •

All of the positive features of proficient investigation, plus: • Questions and goal(s) of investigation are original, reflecting an in-depth knowledge of content area, and consider an issue(s) that previous investigations did not address • Review of background information considers both confirmatory and disconfirmatory evidence of ideas, and refutes competing explanations of findings

• Method of investigation not discussed or described poorly • Strategy for analysis not outlined or outlined poorly • Does not distinguish facts from opinions • Offers basic description of background research, but no evaluation, conclusion, or extension of this research

• Method of investigation is described, but is flawed or unrealistic • Strategy for analysis is discussed, but incomplete • Facts are separated from opinions • Reasonable but limited inferences and conclusions drawn from background information

Method of investigation sufficient to answer all research questions • Analysis strategy is direct, competent, and appropriate• Conclusions are based on the results of the analysis, as a logical extension of the findings, or demonstrating an understanding of theory as well as how to apply it to current project

• Possible multiple methods of investigation sufficient to answer all research questions and reflects a sophisticated understanding of investigative processes • Analysis strategy has depth and may consider material from content areas outside of main focus of questions and goal(s) of project • Convincing conclusions are drawn from current investigation and generalizations to related areas are proposed (demonstrates an understanding of theory as well as how to apply it beyond the current project