Biology 9 Grading Rubric for Lab Report on the Bean Seedling Investigation
Name(s): ______________________________________
Grade on Report: _____/100 = _____%
_____ I. Title. It should be very descriptive and should include the following: independent and dependent variables,
common name and descriptive name of the beans that we used. The most commonly used form for a title is as
follows: “The Effect of …..(independent variable)….. on …..(dependent variable)….. in ….(common and
scientific name)…..” (2 pts)
II. Introduction
_____ – clear statement of the problem that you investigated and purposes for investigation. (3 pts)
_____ Ecological background information that “sets the stage” for the paper. This could include any or all of the
following: (maximum 15 pts)
– a definition of population density (see your textbook, for example)
– the relevance of population density to your investigation
– the definition of "limiting factors"
– the major abiotic limiting factors that you think are relevant to this experiment, explained
– the relevant biotic limiting factors in this experiment, explained
– a definition of carrying capacity (look, for example, in your textbook)
– the relevance of carrying capacity to this experiment
_____ Background about plants (maximum 6 pts)
– Relevant information about bush beans and their anatomy
– growth requirements for plants in general and/or bush beans in particular
_____ Predicted results (maximum 6 pts)
- hypothesis or hypotheses that this experiment is designed to test
- biological reason(s) given for each hypothesis
_____ III. Detailed procedure (15 points maximum)
- how the experiment was set up (description of containers, seed number and
position, planting details, replicates, and so on)
- Diagrams/Photos of setup labeled with a title and referred to in the text
-what sort(s) of data were taken
- how long the experiment lasted
- how the plants were maintained over this period (watering, lighting, . . . )
- other relevant procedural information
_____ IV. Data (maximum of 21 points)
– Brief paragraph summarizing findings at the beginning of this section
– graph(s)– proper format (title, labeled axes, units, data points) all numbered and referred to in text
– Photos, charts, diagrams, and/or tables- all numbered with titles and referred to in text
- clear and consistent inclusion of metric units
– inclusion of dates /days
- thoroughness of data (clearly indicated as having been taken on different dates,
more than one kind of observation made, . . . )
_____ V. Discussion (maximum of 18 points)
- whether or not the original hypotheses were supported, with clear explanation
- modified hypothesis for any original prediction that was not supported (explanations of deviations from expected)
- critical analysis of the experimental design, suggestions for its improvement in
future experiments on this subject
- references to the graphs, charts, and so on, by number/letter
- any errors made?
- other relevant points
_____ - Conclusion, a concise and objective statement of how close together seeds should be planted for the
short run and for the long run, based on your findings (3 pts)
_____ - Bibliography – alphabetical, proper format (3pts)
______ References (essential) (4 pts)
_____ - Writing mechanics (spelling, grammar, organization, and so on) (4 pts)