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I describe my research question clearly, completely, and in great detail.

I make pertinent predictions that can be researched and tested.

My hypothesis is based on conjectures with various conditions.

I describe my research question clearly.

I make reasonable predictions that can be researched and tested.

My hypothesis is based on conjectures with some conditions.

I describe my research question but some elements are missing.

My predictions may be difficult to research or test.

My hypothesis lacks some conjectures or conditions. 

My research question is missing, flawed, or incompletely described.

My predictions are not testable.

My hypothesis is missing or not based on conjectures.

My collection of relevant scientific background information focuses on the research question.

My search of the literature includes many diverse, relevant sources, including books, magazines, the Internet, and interviews.

My gathered information is described completely, with no content errors, misstatements of fact, or misconceptions.

My collection of scientific background information is related to the research question.

My search of the literature includes an adequate amount of relevant, diverse sources.

My gathered information is described completely, with only minor content errors, misstatements of fact, or misconceptions.

My collection of scientific background information includes some information that is not relevant to the research question.

My search of the literature includes some diversity of sources but the quantity may be minimal.

My gathered information is not described completely, or my descriptions include major content errors, misstatements of fact, or misconceptions.

My collection of scientific background information is not relevant to the research question.

My search of literature is limited by lack of diversity and quantity of sources.

I provide a limited description of the background information.

My investigation is a well-constructed test of the hypothesis and includes a detailed experiment that answers the research question completely.

I include a clear step-by-step description of the experimental procedures. I identify, address, and control all relevant independent and dependent variables; include materials with labeled diagrams and drawings of any equipment used to carry out the experiment; and describe safety measures in detail.

My investigation can be replicated exactly as described.

My investigation is a reasonably constructed test of the hypothesis and includes an experiment that answers the research question.

I include a step-by-step description of the experimental procedures. I identify and address most of the independent and dependent variables; include control of variables; include materials, diagrams, and drawings (but they are not always clearly labeled); and mention safety measures employed.

I organized the information so that my investigation can be replicated.

My investigation is an incompletely constructed test of the hypothesis, which has errors.

I include a step-by-step description of the experimental procedure that misses some key details. I identify and address some of the independent and dependent variables, give some attention to the control of variables, include materials, mention equipment (but it is not shown), and describe some safety measures.

I organized the information, but some parts of my investigation are missing, making it difficult to replicate.

My investigation is not relevant to the hypothesis or has serious errors.

My description of the experimental procedure lacks key details. I do not address key independent and dependent variables, do not provide adequate attention to control of variables, do not mention equipment used to carry out experiment, or do not mention safety measures.

My information is not sufficient to replicate my investigation.

My conclusion includes a restatement of the hypothesis, supports or refutes the hypothesis, and explains the role of the experiment in making the decision.

My analysis includes identification of patterns, concepts, meanings, or structures in the data and is used as evidence to support my statements.

My analysis includes identification of sources of error and explains the effect on results.

My conclusion includes comparisons, interpretations, inferences, or deductions from the research information and prior knowledge.

I recognize and discuss the scientific or societal implications of my research, propose solutions, and recommend new avenues of experimentation.

My conclusion includes a restatement of the hypothesis and supports or refutes the hypothesis.

My analysis includes some identification of patterns, concepts, meanings, or structures in the data and is used as evidence to support my statements.

My analysis includes identification of sources of error.

My conclusion includes comparisons and interpretations, and makes some inferences or deductions.

I discuss how the research is useful and propose solutions or recommend new avenues of experimentation.

My conclusion provides some relationship to the hypothesis.

My analysis includes minimal identification of patterns, concepts, meanings, or structures in the data, but these are not used as evidence to support my statements.

My analysis suggests the possibility of error but identifies no sources.

My conclusion compares or interprets some of the information but does not make inferences or deductions.

I state that the research is useful but provide no reasoning, and I suggest some solutions or further investigations but the reasons may not completely relate to the conclusion.

My conclusion shows no relationship to the hypothesis.

My analysis does not use data to support my arguments.

My analysis does not address the possibility of error.

My conclusion does not interpret information or make inferences or deductions.

I do not discuss the usefulness of the research and do not recognize solutions that follow from the knowledge gained.