A1: Record Rubber Band Length as Rings Are Added

Correct Response for Quality of Presentation

• Following three criteria is met:
  • Presents at least two sets of measurements in table.
  • Measurements are paired: number of rings and length of rubber band.
  • Labels table appropriately: data entries in columns identified by headings and/or units; units incorporated into headings or placed besides each measurement.

Partial Responses

• All criteria except #3 is met, some labels missing or incorrect.
• Records verbal rather than numerical observations in the table.
• Other partially correct.

Incorrect Responses

• Two or more measurement recorded but masses and lengths are not paired. For example, number of rings is not recorded.
• Other incorrect

A2: Record Rubber Band Length as Rings Are Added

Correct Response for Quality of Data

• Following two criteria is met:
  • Records length of rubber band for five or more different numbers of rings.
  • Shows reasonable trend in data: rubber band length increases with number of rings (at least for first few measurements); length may increase steadily at first and then stabilize or level off; elastic limit of rubber band may be exceeded and measurements toward the end show very large or erratic increases.

Partial Responses

• 3-4 measurements recorded; other criteria is met.
• Correctly records changes in length from the original length; i.e., takes original length as 0 point and then measures lengths with each added ring.
• At least 5 sets of measurements recorded, but pattern not reasonable; for example, data go the wrong direction.
• 3-5 data entries, but only increments in length recorded, not actual length of rubber band.
• Only two sets of measurements recorded, increases are reasonable.
• Other partially correct

Incorrect Responses

• Rubber band lengths do not increase even at the beginning.
• Other incorrect

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B: Graph Results (Graph or Bar Chart)

Correct Response

• Following four criteria is met:
  • Axes correctly scaled.
  • Axes correctly labeled, including units where appropriate.
  • Measurements recorded in graph are consistent with data table.
  • Graph reflects trend in data.

Partial Responses

• Labels for one axis are missing. Other criteria is met.
• Some measurements do not match data in table but trend in data is reflected in graph. Other criteria is met.
• Scaling incorrect. Other criteria is met.
• Graphs increments rather than overall length. Meets other criteria.
• Graph or bar chart incomplete; trend in data partially shown.
• Other partially correct.

Incorrect Responses

• Graph does not reflect the measurements in the table.
• Graph or bar chart presented, but is seriously inaccurate or incomplete.
• Other incorrect

C: Calculate Increase in Length of Rubber Band When Rings Are Added

Correct Response

• Following four criteria is met:
  • Records amounts consistent with data in table, graph, or bar chart.
  • Calculates increase correctly.

Partial Responses

• Calculation correct but based on an error in reading table.
• Other partially correct.

Incorrect Responses

• Actual length of rubber band given rather than subtracting 2 entries to obtain increase in length.
• Contains error in calculation.
• Merely repeats information in stem or in a previous question.
• Other incorrect

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D: Describe How Rubber Band Length Changes as More Rings Are Added

Correct Response

• Following four criteria is met:
  • Description corresponds to data in table or graph.
  • Identifies trend in data. Trends are expressed quantitatively or qualitatively using descriptions trend may show that rubber band length increases consistently with each added ring; initially rubber band length increases consistently, then begins to level off; increases become larger or erratic with more rings (elastic limit of band exceeded); no change in length occurs (rubber band too strong for weights).

Partial Responses

• Corresponds to the data in the table, changes in length mentioned, but pattern of change in the length not addressed.
• Other partially correct.

Incorrect Responses

• Response describes something other than changes in length or patterns of increases.
• Merely repeats procedure or part of stem.
• Other incorrect

E: Predict Increase in Length of Rubber Band

Correct Response

• Following criteria is met: Makes responsible prediction, based on the data presented in the table or graph.

Incorrect Responses

• Answer not consistent with data.
• Records increment in length of rubber band instead of total length as required.
• Merely repeats information in stem or in a previous question.
• Other incorrect

F: Explain Reason for Prediction

Correct Response

• Following four criteria is met:
  • Refers to the increase in length as read from the table or extrapolated from graph.
  • Attempts to relate weight or number of rings to elasticity of the rubber band.
  • Response is consistent with data in table or graph.

Partial Responses

• Answer consistent with data but explanation not quantitatively related to actual experimental measurements.
• Describes method of arriving at the answer, such as extrapolation from table or graph.
• Other partially correct.

Incorrect Responses

• Makes some sense but is not consistent with experimental data.
• Descriptive rather than explanatory response. For example it describes the experiment but fails to answer the question "why."
• Other incorrect

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