IA Rubric

Assessment of lab reports

Exploration

• Experiment title and topic
• Research question
• Experimental variables: dependent, independent (range or treatments) and controlled (with units and uncertainties)
• Hypothesis and justification
• Background information (context)
• Method/procedure (accuracy and reliability)
• Materials/apparatus
• Safety, ethical and/or environmental considerations

Analysis

• Raw quantitative data table (uncertainty and significant figures)
• Raw qualitative data table (exclusively relevant observations)
• Processed data table
• Formulas and sample calculations
• Graphs
• Data/graph interpretation

Evaluation

• Conclusion described and justified with data (correlation vs causation)
• Justification through accepted scientific context
• Limitations, sources of error and suggestions for improvement
• Extension of the investigation

Important: variables always with units and units with uncertainties.