Scientific Investigation Critical Thinking Indicators

Brainstorming

• Challenges assumptions
• Creates analogies or metaphors
• Differentiates between fact and opinion
• Recognizes more than one point of view
• Makes connections with prior learning experiences
• Makes connections between shared ideas
• Respectfully reflects on others' ideas
• Distinguishes between measurable and nonmeasurable questions
• Constructs/formulates a measurable question or a purpose/problem
• Composes a purpose/problem from the selected measurable question

Research

• Formulates reasonable questions related to the problem
• Locates information from a variety of resources
• Identifies and seeks additional materials
• Reads to find additional information related to an investigation
• Engages in self-directed research investigations
• Expresses interest in replicating the investigations of others
• Summarizes information to demonstrate understanding of facts

Hypothesis

• Selects a plausible and measurable solution based on information gathered from research

Procedure

• Designs a measurable test of the selected hypothesis
• Breaks down test into steps which can be sequenced
• Sequences steps
• Adjusts steps when necessary
• Rewrites steps to clarify

Materials

• Compiles a list of all materials necessary to conduct the test
• Verifies and acquires necessary materials
• Modifies list of materials as adjustments are made in procedural steps

Results

• Performs test(s) following the steps of the procedure
• Makes observations carefully, using all senses
• Gathers data in an organized manner
• Records data accurately in a written log
• Makes diagrams or photographs during the test
• Summarizes the data written form
• Chooses an appropriate graphic representation of the data collected
• Analyzes data
• Communicates results accurately to an audience
• Generalizes results to other investigations or applications
• Clarifies results when necessary Conclusions
  • Evaluates the analysis of the data
  • Judges data to assess whether it supports the hypothesis or not
  • Draws conclusions in written form
  Extensions
• Interprets data when hypothesis is not supported by the conclusion and attempts to explain the reason for the failed hypothesis
• Redesigns procedures based on interpretation of test results
• Applies results to other learning opportunities
• Reflects on investigation and poses other relevant questions to be investigated
• Reflects on investigation and formulates a new purpose/problem that probes more deeply into the topic
• Creates variation(s) on the original problem

Suggestions for Effective Use of Scientific Investigation Critical Thinking Indicators

• Input the indicators into a spreadsheet program and evaluate one investigation process (ex. brainstorming) at a time.
• Input the indicators into a spreadsheet program and evaluate students' skills throughout the marking period and note the dates each indicator was investigated.
• Enlarge the list of indicators and attach it to a chart. Jot down student's name and place a sticker next to each critical thinking indicator attained throughout the investigation, grading period, or year.
• Print out the entire list of Scientific Investigation Critical Thinking Indicators and highlight only those deemed appropriate for your classroom use. Generate a page of the selected indicators to be placed in the student's science log for referencing during investigations. This page sets the standard that will be expected in future investigations and provides easy access to reference when in parent or student conferences.