Investigations/Inquiry in Science (#4)



Knowledge of Research and Investigation in Science (Sample Assessment #7)

This sample assessment covers standards 1 d-e and demonstrates knowledge of research and investigation in science. See preservice for explanations of the science standards. It is important that science teachers experience the “doing” of science in authentic settings. As a result the specific activities carried out in research can vary widely within a science and between sciences. This could be a research project, a capstone project involving research or an independent study. In any case, the experience should be carefully documented. The rubric below could be used to verify what the future science teachers have experienced.

Scientific Investigation

Each candidate (or small group) should choose a topic of interest to research, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. The following parts should be included in the report of the research:

|Rubric for Assessing Reports of Scientific Investigation |

|The minimum acceptable score is a 2 on each part. |

|Investigation parts |Not acceptable (1) |Acceptable (2) |Target (3) |

|A. Research problem |Stated problem is unclear or |Stated problem is clear, key |A clear statement of the intent of the |

|(NSTA 1d) |too broad |variables are identified. |research with the problem narrowed to a |

| | | |manageable scope. |

|B. Literature review |Missing or inadequate review of|Literature review adequate for the|Thorough literature review that identifies |

|(NSTA 1d) |literature for the |specific investigation (including |the need for and the method by which the |

| |investigation |primarily peer-reviewed articles).|research is being conducted. |

|C. Experimental design |Experimental design is |Experimental design is generally |Experimental design is clear and supports |

|(NSTA 1d) |incomplete or unclear. |clear and supports the research |the research question. Includes a clear |

| | |question. Variables are |description of procedure with both |

| | |controlled. |controlled and extraneous variables. |

|D. Data collection and |Data are absent, poorly |Data are organized and |Data are organized to allow for analysis |

|organization (NSTA 1d) |organized, and/or |appropriately displayed using |and interpretation. Graphs and charts |

| |inappropriately displayed. |graphs, charts or tables. |should be utilized for this organization. |

|E. Analysis and |Inappropriate techniques used |Appropriate techniques, |Thorough analysis and interpretation of |

|interpretation of data |in data analysis and |mathematical and otherwise, used |data using appropriate mathematics for |

|(NSTA 1d, 1e) |interpretation. Little or no |in data analysis and |processing and interpreting data. The |

| |evidence of the use of |interpretation. |interpretation of data is presented in |

| |appropriate mathematics. | |relationship to findings from previous |

| | | |studies. |

|F. Final conclusions |Conclusions are absent or not |Conclusions are related to the |Conclusions are based on the above analysis|

|(NSTA 1d) |clearly related to the problem |problem and supported by the data.|and are clearly related to the problem and |

| |or supported by the data. | |previous studies. |

|G. Discussion |Discussion of the research |Discussion of the research project|Discussion of the research project includes|

|(NSTA 1d) |project is absent or minimal |includes suggestions for |suggestions for improvements, refinement, |

| |and poorly thought out. |improvements or refinement to |and/or new approaches to experimental |

| | |experimental design. |design and includes a discussion of future |

| | | |research questions. |

|H. Report |Research is not reported or is |Report of research is complete |Report of research is complete (literature |

|(NSTA 1d) |incomplete. |(literature review, procedures, |review, procedures, data, analysis, |

| | |data, analysis, conclusions). |conclusions) and includes presentation and |

| | | |discussion with peers. |

Summary of Evidence of Knowledge of Research and Investigation in Science

|Candidate Name: | |Term/Year |

| | |Licensure Area(s) |

|Date | | |

Please note on the rubric above the appropriate evaluations. Describe evidence below.

|Standard |Evaluation (Points)|Rating: Evidence used and Comments |

|A. Research problem | | |

|B. Literature review | | |

|C. Experimental design | | |

|D. Data collection and organization | | |

|E. Analysis and interpretation of data| | |

|F. Final conclusions | | |

|G. Discussion | | |

|H. Report | | |

Professor’s Evaluation: Signature

Parts with less than 2 must be redone until acceptable.

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