The Steps to the Research Cycle

Lowell Research Cycle Rubric
Used for PROJECT EVALUATION

This rubric is used to evaluate how students perform at each stage of the research cycle.

1. QUESTIONING

____ 4 My question is clear, well-focused and requires high level thinking skills in order to research.

____ 3 My question is clear and well focused. My question requires moderately high level thinking skills.

____ 2 My question is incomplete and unclear. My teacher needed to help me form a question.

____ 1 I was unable to come up with a research question.

2. PLANNING

____ 4 I Made really good use of my time. I was able to remain focused on the tasks and make changes when I needed to. I was able to develop a clear method to organize my information. I was able to make revisions in my plan when needed.

____ 3 I was able to work within the time frame my teacher gave me. I was able to develop a system to organize my information. I was able to make revisions with help from my teacher.

____ 2 I needed teacher help to list and organize what I needed to do. There are some steps missing in my planning. I made revisions with teacher help.

____ 1 I was unable to come up with an organized plan and work within the time limits.

3. GATHERING

____ 4 I used a variety of resources and carefully selected only the information that answered my question. I was able to continually revise my search based on information I found.

____ 3 I used many resources to find information that answered my question. I tried at revising my search, but had some problems doing so.

____ 2 I used 1 or more sources. Original question or focus guided my search, although I should have made revisions. I made errors in selection of references.

____ 1 I lost focus during the gathering process and therefore my information was not accurate and complete.

4. SORTING

____ 4 I thoroughly selected and organized information that answered my question in a organized way. I selected information that was appropriate.

____ 3 I sorted information and organized information that answered my question without too many errors.

____ 2 I tried to organize the information I found, but I made some mistakes. I wasn’t able to completely stay focused on information that would answer my question.

____ 1 I was unable to sort and organize the information I found to answer my question.

5. SYNTHESIZING

____ 4 I used the information I found in a meaningful way to create an original productthat clearly answers the question with accuracy, detail and understanding.

____ 3 My product answers the question in a way that reflects learning using some detail and accuracy.

____ 2 My product is not complete and only answers part of the question.

____ 1 My product is incomplete and contains missing details and it isn’t completely accurate.

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Revised 3/3/99