Testing Experiments:
- This rubric addresses the ability to design & conduct an experiment to test an idea/hypothesis/explanation or mathematical relation.
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Competent | Developing | Novice | What? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C 1 | Is able to identify the hypothesis to be tested | The hypothesis is clearly stated. |
The hypothesis to be tested is described but there are minor omissions or vague details. |
An attempt is made to identify the hypothesis to be tested but is described in a confusing manner. |
No mention is made of a hypothesis |
| C 2 | Is able to design a reliable experiment that tests the hypothesis | The experiment tests the hypothesis and has a high likelihood of producing data that will lead to a conclusive judgment. |
The experiment tests the hypothesis, but due to the nature of the design there is a moderate chance the data will lead to an inconclusive judgment. |
The experiment tests the hypothesis, but due to the nature of the design it is likely the data will lead to an incorrect judgment. | The experiment does not test the hypothesis. |
C 4 | A prediction is made that * follows from hypothesis, |
Prediction follows from hypothesis but is flawed because * relevant experimental assumptions are not considered and/or |
A prediction is made but it is identical to the hypothesis, OR Prediction is made based on a source unrelated to hypothesis being tested, or is completely inconsistent with hypothesis being tested, OR Prediction is unrelated to the context of the designed experiment. | No prediction is made. The experiment is not treated as a testing experiment. |
C 5 | Is able to identify the assumptions made in making the prediction | Sufficient assumptions are correctly identified, and are significant for the prediction that is made. |
Relevant assumptions are identified but are not significant for making the prediction |
An attempt is made to identify assumptions, but the assumptions are irrelevant or are confused with the hypothesis. | No attempt is made to identify any assumptions. |
C 6 | Is able to determine specifically the way in which assumptions might affect the prediction | The effects of the assumptions are determined and the assumptions are validated. |
The effects of assumptions are determined, but no attempt is made to validate them. |
The effects of assumptions are mentioned but are described vaguely. | No attempt is made to determine the effects of assumptions. |
C 7 | Is able to decide whether the prediction and the outcome agree/disagree. | A reasoable decision about the agreement/disagreement is made and experimental uncertainty is taken into account. |
A reasonable decision about the agreement/disagreement is made but experimental uncertainty is not taken into account. |
A decision about the agreement/disagreement is made but is not consistent with the outcome of the experiment. |
No mention of whether the prediction and outcome agree/disagree |
C 8 | Is able to make a reasonable judgment about the hypothesis | A judgment is made, consistent with the experimental outcome, and assumptions are taken into account. |
A judgment is made, is consistent with the outcome of the experiment, but assumptions are not taken into account. |
A judgment is made but is not consistent with the outcome of the experiment. | No judgment is made about the hypothesis. |
This rubric was originally developed by Eugenia Etkina and the rest of the ISLE team at Rutgers University. It is shared here with permission and any modifications in language or focus are entirely my responsibility. My enduring thanks to Eugenia for her dedication to PER and generosity with those of us who admire and follow her work.
C 3 is intentionally missing
