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Primary Trait Analysis
Rubric

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Science Paper Example

          A science paper has parts that practicing scientists expect to see. These include, but are not limited to, abstract, introduction, materials & methods section, results, discussion, and literature cited. The parts represent more than mere format; they reveal the validity of separate components of scientific thinking and approach. Consequently, each part has its own expected quality of content and style. Therefore, a scientifically literate reader can readily establish a rubric (here represented as a four-point scale) to score ---assess--- the quality of each part.


Parts of the Scientific Paper

I. Introduction
      A. Provides history and context
      B. Contains the hypothesis to be texted

II. Materials & Methods
      A. Outlines the general approach whereby the hypothesis is tested.
      B. Enumerates equipment and commodities and outlines procedures whereby a
          knowledgeable student could replicate the work.

III. Etc.

Sample Rubric for Assessing the Scientific Paper

I. Introduction A:
4. History well researched. Major contributions presented with discrimination and balance. Controversies outlined and weighed.
3. History adequately outlined. Role of major contributions recognized. Relative merit of conflicting opinions somewhat unclear.
2. Historical outline present. Contextual development and relative merit of contributions unrecognized or ragged. Presentation of conflicting ideas absent.
1. Historical outline absent or garbled. Contributions listed as in a diary; consideration of merit absent. Notions of conflicting ideas ignored.

II. Introduction B:
4. Hypothesis clearly recognized or well crafted and elegantly stated in testable form. Hypothesis cleverly embedded in context.
3. Hypothesis recognized or well stated. Contextual connections evident.
2. Hypothesis detectable but may not be stated in testable form. Contextual connections tenuous.
1. Hypothesis undetectable or garbled so as to violate scientific principles. Context absent or ignored.

III. Materials & Methods B:
4. Procedures clear, need no interpretation. Appropriate details present.
3. Procedures easily interpreted. Relevant information dominates.
2. Procedures unclear but interpretable. Irrelevant information interferes.
1. Procedures scrambled. Irrelevant information dominates. Reads more like a bad diary.
Etc.