G9 Bio Research Rubric

Criterion A: Establish a context and background to the research

To what extent is the research question complete and scientifically rigorous?
To what extent has a context been set where it is understood why the research is
relevant and worthy of investigation?

____/5

Criterion B: Collect & Evaluate Sources

● To what extent are the sources used appropriate to the research question?
● To what extent are the sources in a variety of formats? (books, journals,
electronic sources)
● To what extent does the researcher show appropriate use of online databases?

____/5

Criterion C: Extract relevant information

● To what extent has the relevant information been extracted?
● To what extent were notes written succinctly showing paraphrasing,
identification of powerful quotations and/or ability to summarize key points?
● To what extent were notes taken in student’s own words?
___/5

Criterion D: Analysis and Conclusion

● To what extent has the student collected, recorded, processed and interpreted
the data in ways which are relevant to the research question?
● To what extent are the patterns in the data correctly interpreted to reach a valid
conclusion?
____/5

Criterion E: Application
● To what extent has the student identified and evaluated a way to apply the
outcome of the investigation into the broader scientific issue that was identified
at the start of the project? ____/5

Criterion F: Write the report & cite sources

● How appropriate is the writing style in terms of grammar, punctuation and
spelling, use of syntax?
● To what extent does is academic language used?
● To what extent were sources cited as footnotes and in the bibliography in the
report using ​Chicago Manual of Style​? ___/5

Note: ​The word length for the research paper varies depending on grade level.
, G9: 1,000-1,500
Total 30-29 28-26 25-22 23-22 21-18
ASM A+ A A- B+ B B-
grade
100,98 97-92 91-90 89-88 87-82
Criterion A: Establish a background and
context for the research
0​ The work does not reach a standard described by
the descriptors below.
1 ​The hypothesis is missing or does not identify any
relevant variables, or variables are not identified
correctly. There is a research question, but there is a
lack of focus. A scientific issue is outlined. The
student lists connections between the scientific issue
and the research question, but there are significant
omissions.
Criterion B: Collect & evaluate sources
0​ The work does not reach a standard described by
the descriptors below.
1 ​Sources were used but were irrelevant and/or
inadequate to investigate the research question.
2​ Sources used were mostly inadequate to investigate
the research question in terms of their origin, purpose
and value. An inadequate number of sources were
used.
Criterion C: Extract relevant information
0​ The work does not reach a standard described by
the descriptors below.
1 ​Notes may be copied, irrelevant to the research
question showing lack of understanding of sources.
Notes are disorganized and/or incomplete. Citation
information is missing or incomplete.
2​ ​Notes sometimes demonstrate ability to paraphrase,
or summarize information. Notes are not always
relevant or organized. Citation information may be
missing or incomplete.
17-16 15-14 14-13 12 11-10 9-6 5-0
C+ C C- D+ D F
81-80 79-78 77-72 71-70 69-68 67-62 61-0
2-3 ​The student has asked relevant research questions
and outlines a scientific issue that provides the context
to the research question. The hypothesis may be
incomplete or identifies only some relevant variables.
The student describes connections between the
scientific issue and the research question, but there are
omissions.
4-5​ The student has developed a relevant, coherent and
focused research question, with a hypothesis and
accurate/relevant variables. The student discusses a
scientific issue that provides the context for the research
question.
3​ Sources used were mostly adequate to investigate the
research question. There may be some limitations in the
choice of some sources in terms of their origin, purpose
and value. A limited number of sources were used.
4​ Sources used were appropriate to the research
question. A variety of different sources were used such
as academic journals from online databases and
reliable in terms of their origins, purpose, value and
limitations.
5​ Sources used were entirely reliable and appropriate to
the research question in terms of their origin, purpose,
value and limitations. A variety of different sources
were used such as academic journals from online
databases.
3​ Notes demonstrate ability to paraphrase, identify
quotations and summary of key points in the student’s
own words. Notes are somewhat maintained in an
organized framework, usually keeping track of citation
information.
4​ Notes demonstrate ability to paraphrase, identify
powerful quotations and summarize key points in the
student’s own words. Notes demonstrate ability to
maintain an organized framework, including citation
information.
5 ​ Notes are written succinctly demonstrating
understanding of sources and ability to paraphrase,
identify powerful quotations and summarize key points
in the student’s own words. Notes demonstrate mastery
of a strong organizational framework, maintaining
citation information.
Criterion D: Analysis & Conclusion
0​ The work does not reach a standard described by
the descriptors below.
1​ Student constructs some diagrams, charts or graphs
of quantitative and/or qualitative data, but there are
significant errors or omissions. The student analyses
some of the data but there are significant errors and/or
omissions. The student states a conclusion that is not
supported by the data.
Criterion E: Application
​ he work does not reach a standard described by
0T
the descriptors below.
1-3​ The student describes one potential application and
or solution to a scientific issue that has been discussed
in the context. The student describes some strengths
and weaknesses and limitations of this solution.
Criterion F: Write the report & cite sources
0 ​The work does not reach a standard described by
the descriptors below.
1 ​There is little clarity, with many basic errors; little
evidence of academic language and sources may be
cited inaccurately or not at all.
2​ There is some clarity, though grammar, spelling and
sentence structure are often inaccurate; some
sense of style and appropriate vocabulary. Little
evidence of academic style. Sources may be cited, but
not accurately using Chicago Manual of Style.
2-3​ Student constructs diagrams, charts or graphs of
quantitative/qualitative data, which are appropriate, but
there are some omissions. Student analyses the data
correctly but the analysis is incomplete. Student
interprets some trends, patterns or relationships in the
data so that a conclusion with some validity is deduced.
4-5​ Student constructs diagrams, charts or graphs of all
the quantitative and/or qualitative data appropriately.
Student analyzes the data correctly so that all relevant
patterns are displayed. Student interprets trends,
patterns or relationships in the data, so that a valid
conclusion to the research is deduced.
4-5 ​The student can extend the experiment’s findings to
real world contexts or other scientific issues. The
student evaluates the strengths and weaknesses and
limitations of the solution.
3​ The use of language and the style are generally clear
and effective, though there are some inaccuracies
in grammar, spelling and sentence construction;
generally appropriate in style and vocabulary. Some
attempt to write using an academic style. Some attempt
to cite works using ​Chicago Manual of Style​.
4 ​The use of language and the style are clear and
effective, with a good degree of accuracy; sentence
construction and vocabulary are varied, showing a
growing maturity of style; academic language is
attempted in the report. Footnotes and bibliography are
almost correctly cited using ​Chicago Manual of Style​.
5​ The use of language and the style is very clear and
effective, with a very good degree of accuracy;
sentence construction and vocabulary are good; the
style is confident. Academic language is used
throughout the report. Footnotes and bibliography are
correctly cited using ​Chicago Manual of Style​.