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Internal assessment Orientation - Conclusion and evaluation

Assessment Statements The Internal Assessment (IA) Rubric IS the assessment statement

Objectives Understand teacher responsibilities in the IA process Understand student responsibilities in the IA process Know and apply the criteria for Conclusion and Evaluation to a successful internal assessment Write the Conclusion and Evaluation portion of a practice IA to the Complete criteria

Conclusion and Evaluation

Conclusion and Evaluation

Aspect 1: Concluding If you made a hypothesis, your conclusion must state whether or not your data supports your hypothesis AND TO WHAT DEGREE it supports it Conclusion must be clearly related to your research question Describe the process by which you reached the conclusion

Aspect 1: Concluding Conclusions that are supported by the data are acceptable even if they appear to contradict accepted theories. However, the conclusion must take into account any systematic or random errors and uncertainties. Does the uncertainty render the conclusion, inconclusive? FOLLOW THE DATA!!!

Aspect 1: Concluding A percentage error should be compared with the total estimated random error as derived from the propagation of uncertainties. In justifying their conclusion, students should discuss whether systematic error or further random errors were encountered. The direction of any systematic errors should be appreciated.

Aspect 1: Concluding Identify and discuss limitations to your experiment and how they may affect your conclusion Variable range tested Uncontrolled variables Variables not previously considered Flaws in the procedure Unreliable measurements Unknown instrument precision

Aspect 1: Concluding Analysis may include comparisons of different graphs or descriptions of trends shown in graphs. The explanation should contain observations, trends or patterns revealed by the data.

Aspect 1: Concluding When measuring an already known and accepted value of a physical quantity, students should draw a conclusion as to their confidence in their result by comparing the experimental value with the textbook or literature value. The literature consulted should be fully referenced.

Conclusion and Evaluation

Aspect 1/2: Concluding / Evaluating Procedure Identify and discuss limitations to your experiment and how they may affect your conclusion Variable range tested Uncontrolled variables Variables not previously considered Flaws in the procedure Unreliable measurements Unknown instrument precision

Aspect 1/2: Concluding / Evaluating Procedure Consider Evaluating Procedure before Concluding since the procedure evaluation impacts the strength of your conclusion

Aspect 2: Evaluating Procedure(S) The design and method of the investigation must be commented upon as well as the quality of the data. The student must not only list the weaknesses but must also appreciate how significant the weaknesses are. Be specific as to what the weaknesses were and how much (magnitude and direction) it affected your data

Aspect 2: Evaluating Procedure(S) Comments about the precision and accuracy of the measurements are relevant here. When evaluating the procedure used, the student should specifically look at the processes, use of equipment and management of time.

Conclusion and Evaluation

Aspect 3: Improving The Investigation Suggestions for improvement should be based on the weaknesses and limitations identified in aspect 2. Modifications to the experimental techniques and the data range can be addressed here.

Aspect 3: Improving The Investigation The modifications should address issues of precision, accuracy and reproducibility of the results. Students should suggest how to reduce random error, remove systematic error and/or obtain greater control of variables.

Aspect 3: Improving The Investigation The modifications proposed should be realistic and clearly specified. You can state unrealistic modifications but caveat it as such “Better data could be obtained through use of an electron microscope but that is not feasible for a high school science class.” It is not sufficient to state generally that more precise equipment should be used.

Aspect 3: Improving The Investigation Be careful of identifying weaknesses that are well within your control to correct like: “I should have been more careful.” “I should have done more trials.” You are asking for your Design to be downgraded, if not already Instead, do the experiment again with more trials while being more careful

Review Do you understand the teacher responsibilities in the IA process? Do you understand the student responsibilities in the IA process? Do you know and can you apply the Design Criteria to a successful internal assessment? Can you write the Design portion of a practice IA to the Complete criteria?

Questions?

Homework Write the Conclusion and Evaluation for your practice IA Combine all three sections into one complete IA and post on ManageBac