FIELD STUDY SCORING RUBRIC
FOR THE PROCEDURE:
Record
environmental
conditions
• Underline in GREEN where the student has stated in their Procedure that the location and
environmental conditions will be taken at the time of the study and where they stated, in their
procedure, that these environmental conditions will be recorded in the data section.”
• Underline in GREEN where the student has written, in the Data section, information about the
location of the study and where they have given at least three relevant environmental conditions
(temperature, time, date, etc.).
Conditions
to be
compared
• Underline in PINK each time the independent variable is identified in the Procedure. This is
where the student has explained what they will be changing (manipulating) in the experiment.
• Underline in PINK where the independent variable occurs in the title and above the column of
manipulated variables in all data tables in the Data section. (**there must be 3 conditions of the
independent variable, besides the control, for credit. – Check with the instructor.
• Underline in PINK where the independent variable occurs in the title and appropriate axis of
all graphs in the Data Analysis section. (Not applicable for descriptive field studies)
Has the student used only one independent variable (manipulated variable) in their procedure?
The independent variable must also occur in the title and labeled appropriate axis of all graphs
and data tables as well as a column heading in all data tables. The independent variable must
have at least three conditions to be credited. Each time the independent variable is identified in
the procedure, underline it in PINK
Logical steps to
do field study
• Has the student written the steps of the procedure with enough detail to enable anyone to repeat
the procedure effectively and get similar results (examples of illogical steps: no ending time
indicated, no limitation to the sampling or trials is given, recording vague directions as to what
data or results will be collected or measured). This is not underlined – but is a judgment call on
the person doing the assessment.
• To obtain points for this section, the student cannot miss any points listed above. Also, even
though they have all the points above, this does not automatically give them this point.
Data to be
collected
• Underline in BLUE each time the dependent variable is identified in the Procedure. This is
where the student has explained the process by which they will collect the data to answer the
research question.
• Underline, in BLUE, where the dependent variable occurs in the title and above the trials in all
data tables in the Data section.
• Underline, in BLUE, where the dependent variable occurs in the title and appropriate axis of
all graphs in the Data Analysis section. (Not applicable for descriptive field studies)
Method for
collecting
data
• Underline once, in ORANGE, where the student has described HOW the data will be collected
in the Procedure section.
• Underline twice, in ORANGE, where the student has explained, in the Procedure section, at
least three collection processes (controlled variables) that will be kept constant between each
experiment trial. This is where their procedure states or implies a consistent sampling strategy or
technique (e.g., keep the sampling area the same, count at the same time every day, use the same
sampling instrument, etc.).
• Circle, in ORANGE, the statement where the student has explained how the sites were chosen
randomly at each location? ** Do this step only when it is applicable – ask the instructor for
clarification.
How often data
should be
collected and
recorded
• Underline in YELLOW where the student has explained, in the Procedure section, that
additional trials or multiple measurements will be taken for each manipulated variable in the
experiment. (e.g. Go to each location 2 times, sample multiple regions in the same area.).
• Underline in YELLOW where the student has made, in the Procedure section, the statement
“Record data in data table…” Remember: the student must use the phrase “record data in data
table…” for points. No points will be given if they use the phrase “take measurement or to
count” No points will be given if artificial data was used.
1
1
1
1
1
1
PTS.
In order for a student to gain any points for a procedure section above or conclusion section below, they must
successfully have completed ALL of the bulleted items in that section.
