Scientific Investigation Write Up
Lab Write up should be neat, and easily readable
Raw data should be included (data you actually collected).
Underline each section so that it is easily identifiable.
Title – Create a title that describes the investigation.
Introduction:
Question – The challenge here is to come up with a question that is testable in an experiment you can
perform. Clearly identify the variable you will change (independent variable) and the variable you will
measure (dependent variable). Write the question in the form: “What effect does …IV have on …DV.”
Note: If there is no independent variable in the experiment then briefly explain the purpose for doing the
activity. If the lab is not a controlled experiment, then state the purpose of the lab.
Hypothesis – Your hypothesis should include: What you think the answer to your question will be,
and why. Writing the hypothesis in the if … then … form helps to make it specific.
Variables
1.
2.
3.
- List your variables
Independent variable (IV – the thing you change)
Dependent variable (DV – the thing you measure)
3 Control Variables (CV – the things that stay the same)
Materials: list all materials you used
Method:
Procedures – Briefly summarizing the procedures of the lab.
1. Number your procedures in order.
2. Do not simply copy the procedures, write them in your own words.
Diagram of Set-up - Small sketch that shows the lab in progress.
Results:
Blank Data Table – Data table is ready for you to start entering data when you arrive.
Data – Create an experiment that allows you to quantify (measure with numbers) your results.
1. Display your raw data a table
2. Create a graph of data to communicate important data that answers your questions. (IV
on X axis and DV on Y axis)
3. All data and graphs must be labeled with Title and Units
4. Show at least one example of each calculation
Discussion:
Questions – Either write out the questions or include the questions in the answers.
Conclusion – Discuss the results and validity of your experiment.
1. Restate the question.
2. State your answer to the question.
3. Do the results support your hypothesis?
4. Discuss at least two sources of error in your data that would result from the design or
logistics your experiment.
Grade 9&10 Lab Rubric
Date:______
Name:____________
ECA standard
Standard 9 –
Designs
Experiments
C= complete
P= partial
N= none
Partner:_________
Lab:_________
Aspects
Defining Problem or Research
Question
identifies focused problem or research
specific to this lab
__contains independent & dependent
variables
C
Level
Formulating a hypothesis or
prediction
__ hypothesis related to aim
__ is quantitative if possible
__ explained & justified
relevant background on topic is
included
Selecting Variables
__ includes relevant
independent variables
dependent variable
stated
__ all controlled variables
are stated
P N
C P N
7 or 6
6 or 5
5 or 4
4
4 or 3
3
3 or 2
2
1 or 0
CCC
CCP
CCN
CPP
PPP
CPN
PPN
CNN
PNN , NNN
7 or 6
6 or 5
5 or 4
4
4 or 3
3
3 or 2
2
1 or 0
C P N
Selecting appropriate apparatus or
materials
Designing a method for the
control of variables
Method for collection of
sufficient relevant data
appropriate equipment selected
__ list or diagram included
__ diagram is labeled
__ sizes/quantities included
__ methods of how to control
variables are stated in plan
__ procedure detailed enough in
numbered format that a peer can
follow & produce same results
__ relevant data collected
__ irrelevant data not
collected
__ sufficient range of
independent variable
__ sample size is at least 5
__ multiple trials are
planned for
C P N
CCC
CCP
CCN
CPP
PPP
CPN
PPN
CNN
PNN , NNN
C P N
C P N
Standard 10 –
Collects and
processes data
C= complete
P= partial
N= none
Collecting & Recording Data
Organizing & Presenting Raw Data
__ raw data related to problem
__ all correct units are included
__ uncertainties are included (margin of
error)
__ all data collected is included
__ raw quantitative data is presented in table format with ruled
columns & rows
__ observations neat and in order
__ has meaningful title
__ table is complete and understandable
C P N
Processing Raw Data
__ correct type/method of calculations
performed
__ (if applicable) drawings correctly
labeled
__ sample calculations shown for every
type of calculation
__averages of several measurements
taken
__data transformed so it may be
represented graphically
__ drawing lines of best fit and
determining gradients
Drawing Valid Conclusions
__ correct interpretation/conclusion
__ conclusion is in agreement w/
accepted ideals or literature
__ explanation of how the conclusion
was reached (based upon results)
C P N
7 or 6
6 or 5 or 4
5 or 4
4 or 3
3 or 2
1 or 0
CC
CP
CN
PP
PN
NN
7 or 6
6 or 5 or 4
5 or 4
4 or 3
3 or 2
1 or 0
C P N
Presenting Processed Data
__ correct choice of presentation to show patterns & relationships
(graph or chart, table, etc)
__ correct units used in table/graph
__ meaningful titles or headings used
__ answers given are to correct # of significant digits
margin of error given for processing
__ include error bars on graphs where significant
__draw line of min and max gradient
__determine uncertainty in best straight-line gradient
__ graph is laid out clearly & large enough /neatly
(graph paper, ruler used, etc.)
C P N
Standard 11 –
Draws
conclusions and
evaluates
experiments
CC
CP
CN
PP
PN
NN
C P N
Evaluating procedure & Results
__ comparison of hypothesis &
conclusion included
__ explanation for differences
included
__ evaluation of reliability of results
C P N
Improving the
investigation
__ specifically identify all
weaknesses
__ impact of the problems
on results stated
__ for each problem a
suggestion for
improvement is given
CCC
CCP
CCN
CPP
PPP
CPN
PPN
CNN
PNN , NNN
7 or 6
6 or 5
5 or 4
4
4 or 3
3
3 or 2
2
1 or 0
CCC
CCP
CCN
CPP
PPP
CPN
PPN
CNN
PNN , NNN
7 or 6
6 or 5
5 or 4
4
4 or 3
3
3 or 2
2
1 or 0
C P N
Standard 12Manipulates
equipment
Follows Instructions
Carries out techniques correctly
Works safely