EDSC102, Task 1, First-hand investigationName ________________________________________
EDSC102, Task 1, First-hand investigationName ________________________________________
Criteria HD (Outstanding) Dist (Very good) Credit (Achieves expected standard) Pass (Getting there) Fail (not there yet)
Question As with Dist but also testable question is original and/or additionally complex Testable question is in correct form, is fully consistent with scenario/context and suitably complex. Testable question is in correct form, is consistent with scenario/context and not overly simple. Testable question stated but may not be in correct form, may only loosely be related to scenario/ context or may be overly simple. Not a testable question or not stated as a testable question.
Background and Relationship to Question As with Dist but also includes critique, where appropriate, and recent, relevant references and/or those from scholarly journals. As for Credit and background is comprehensive, concise and well-structured with all relevant sections included. References used appropriately. Background is clearly structured, with most sections included (e.g., the so what, what is known already, justification of variables etc.). References used appropriately. Some background is presented, but not all elements are included. Background and references limited, missing and/or inadequately address the scenario/context of investigation.
Design As with Dist but also includes more sophisticated measurement and/or multiple attempts to improve design in order to improve validity/accuracy/ reliability. As with Cr but also evidence of design improvements and/or sophistication to improve validity/accuracy/reliability. Method is presented in traditional format. Variables correctly identified. Design represents a fair test and is suitably complex, including taking appropriate measurements. Method may be presented in an unconventional format. Some inconsistencies in variables. Some oversights with respect to fair testing. Design is overly simple. Elements of method may be unsafe or insufficiently detailed. Variables not identified correctly.
Discussion/Conclusions Data displayed and reported accurately and appropriately. Analysis is sufficient and shows trends. Discussion makes reference to issues around validity, accuracy and reliability, and provides reasonable and practical suggestions for improvements. Data displays are sufficient and accurate. Analysis clearly follows from data and results. Discussion attends to issues and improvements around validity, accuracy and reliability. Conclusion links to results and relates back to testable question. Data reported, possibly with some errors (table structure, units, etc) or poorly chosen displays. Analysis mostly appropriate but limited discussion regarding validity, accuracy and reliability. Conclusion may not relate back to question. Data reported incorrectly. Discussion limited or missing. Conclusions not supported by results.
Planning Clearly presented evidence that is formally structured (e.g. logbook, scientific notebook) provided in appendix. Appropriate evidence presented for each part of the investigation (e.g. notes, video, images) in appendix. Evidence is appropriate and sufficient. Some evidence but may be insufficient to demonstrate clear understanding. No clear evidence that the investigation took place and/or investigation incomplete.
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32442157708900[Students Name][Class Name][Teachers Name]00[Students Name][Class Name][Teachers Name]30562553429000[Document Title]00[Document Title]
TABLE OF CONTENTS TOC o "1-3" h z u TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGEREF _Toc491337087 h 1MEDIAN HEADING 1|ONE PAGEREF _Toc491337088 h 1Heading 2|two PAGEREF _Toc491337089 h 1Heading 3|three PAGEREF _Toc491337090 h 2BIBLIOGRAPHY PAGEREF _Toc491337091 h 3
Heading/Title
Background and aims
Include literature review (what is already known, scientific principles, etc.), citing scholarly articles and other resources (e.g., YouTube videos, websites etc.) using in-text citations and APA referencing
testable question and/or hypothesis
Clearly state the testable question and/or hypothesis
The quote is bold and distinctive. The galleries include items that are designed to coordinate with the overall look of your document.
Methods
Include variables, possibly in table and outline the method, including any necessary images/instructions/equipment and changes to method.
Pour
Include
Etc
Include a risk assessment and discussion of any safety concerns.
Results
Include results table, graphs etc. and
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
Discuss the significance of findings (relate back to background) and any limitations/suggestions for future work and conclusion
Reference list
Use APA
appendices
Include a scanned copy of your marked-up Progressive Task 1
Assessment 1 Investigation Report Support Document
TOC h u z n t "Heading 1,1,Heading 2,2,Heading 3,3,Heading 4,4,Heading 5,5,Heading 6,6,"Overview (from subject outline)
Investigation Scenarios
Formatting/length requirements
Important information
How to approach the task
Suggested timeline
How to select an appropriate testable question
How to plan and carry out your investigation
How to produce the Investigation report
FAQs
Overview (from subject outline)
Students will perform a first-hand investigation and produce a scientific report.
Students must choose one of the Scenarios from the supplied list (below).
Weighting = 45%
Investigation Scenarios
As we are becoming more conscious of reducing waste and using more sustainable products, a range of alternatives to many popular products are being proposed. However, we dont yet have a complete understanding of the effectiveness of the different options available. Design an investigation that explores on aspect of this in relation to one of the following:
Baking paper
Sponges
Generative AI is becoming more ubiquitous, able to generate text and image that seems like it came from a human. However, many assert that it can never be the real thing; humans will respond differently to artificially generated text or image. Design an investigation that explores one aspect of this.
Or design an investigation of your choice. Please ensure that the investigation you choose has value. This means it should be relatively novel, not simply a repeat of an existing experiment, unless you aim to replicate or confirm previous findings, and that there is a reason for conducting the investigation (that the findings provide some utility). All free choice topics need to be approved by the subject coordinator. If in doubt, contact subject coordinator.
Formatting/length requirements
5 Pages Maximum (12pt, single or 1.5 spaces, up to 1200 words) including all necessary diagrams and tables. Title page, appendices and references not included in the page limit. No page limit for appendices.
Important information
You must demonstrate that you carried out the experiment between the beginning of this semester and the due date. Evidence of conducting the experiment may include photographs (with time/date stamps), records (e.g., in Google Docs) or links to video. Students are responsible for determining whether their evidence is sufficient through contact with the tutor/subject coordinator. Experiments conducted for other subjects/purposes or at other times will be considered plagiarism and referred for investigation of Academic Misconduct.
Progressive Task 1 worksheet with feedback needs to be included as an appendix.
How to approach the task
The following is a suggested approach to successfully completing this task:
Watch all Investigations videos on Moodle
Access/complete any additional information/reading (e.g., Investigations Quiz)
Start thinking about an appropriate testable question, conducting additional research on potential investigations
Submit Progressive Task 1, complete to the best of your ability
Work on your assessment consistently during the semester, do not start this task in the final weeks. This assessment task has a large weighting and is designed to be completed over a longer period of time
Suggested timeline
Week Activity
1 Read through information about assessment 1 in Subject Outline and Support Document
2 Access and Watch all Investigations Videos
3 Brainstorm a few possible testable questions and plan what the corresponding investigations might look like
Decide on one investigation and complete Progressive Task 1 to receive feedback
4 Progressive Task 1 due Friday 11:59pm (though recommended to submit in Week 3)
Proceed with investigation (if received feedback from week 3), preparing equipment or conducting first/pilot test
5 Proceed with Investigation, preparing equipment or conducting first/pilot test
Proceed with investigation, ensuring all data has been collected and recorded accurately
6 Proceed with investigation, ensuring all data has been collected and recorded accurately
Begin writing Investigation report
7 Edit and format your document
Assessment is due Friday 11:59pm
How to select an appropriate testable question
A key aspect of this assignment is turning the provided scenario into an investigation. The scenario in and of itself is not an investigation. In order to devise one, you must first be able to formulate a suitable testable question.
For each scenario, there are a huge number of testable questions. To determine the most appropriate, you should ask yourself some questions:
Is this a testable question?
Will finding out the answer to this question provide useful information?
Is there enough information available for me to develop a background for this question?
Can I design a feasible investigation (e.g., materials, time etc.).
You can select more than one testable question to submit for Progressive Task 1. You can change your testable question after receiving feedback for Progressive Task 1, however, you may not be able to receive additional feedback on this new testable question before submission. Rather, you should use the existing feedback up to that point instead.
Resources: For more information on how to approach how to select an appropriate testable question, please access the following resources
Week 2: Investigations 1 video, Tutorial 2
How to plan and carry out your investigation
To successfully carry out your investigation, you need a strong plan. Central to this is to ensure you have designed a fair test and that you are able to clearly identify exactly what you will be measuring with your dependent variable.
Note that, just like our coffee example, the measurement may not be direct and there might be many different options. For instance, in measuring how well something dissolves, you might be measuring either how much of the solid is left after a certain amount of time, or how long it takes for the solid to completely dissolve (See table below). It is up to you to make a judgement on which of these is most effective. You will receive feedback for this on your progressive task.
Dependent variable: What is measured Units
How well something dissolves (dissolution) Mass (how much solid is left Grams (g)
How well something dissolves (dissolution) Percentage solid remaining No units (proportion or percentage)
How well something dissolves (dissolution) Time taken for solid to completely dissolve Time (s)
After you have decided on your measurement, you should prepare your risk assessment and write out your method, ready for actually carrying out your investigation.
If you are using Human Subjects as part of your investigation, you should ask for their consent. See consent documents under Assessment 1 banner on Moodle.
The number of trials will depend on the design of your investigation. Your judgement around this will be assessed, and as such, we cannot provide direct help with this.
The way you present your data will depend on the type of data you are collecting. Think about the different types of graph and which one is more suitable for your data.
You will need to leave plenty of time to complete your investigations. We recommend a minimum of two weeks in case measurements need repeating.
Resources: For more information on how to approach how to plan and carry out your investigation, please access the following resources
Week 4: Investigations 2 video, Tutorial 4, Excel video tutorial 4
Week 6: Investigations 3 video, Tutorial 6
How to produce the Investigation report
The investigation report will be modelled throughout the tutorials related to Investigations. Two pages are provided below for illustrative purposes.
The model report will be based on the investigation we conduct in class (dissolving sugar for coffee), so it is important to engage with this investigation as fully as possible to understand each stage of the investigation process.
As with all models, you should only use this model for guidance, you should not try to replicate it. Each of your investigations will be different to this one, so attempting to follow the model too closely will be problematic.
Instead, use the model to understand what information (and in what form) should be included in each section.
Resources: For more information on how to produce the investigation report, please access the following resources
Week 2: Tutorial 2 and sample report (Part 1)
Week 4: Tutorial 4 and sample report (Part 2)
Week 6: Tutorial 6 and sample report (Part 3) and Full Model Report
FAQs
How can I get help? Any questions should be posted to the Assessment 1 Forum under the Assessment 1 banner on Moodle. Students may also attend Mondays Drop in session (but note that this wont be recorded)
Is it 5 pages including references/Title page? No, your references/title pages are not included in the page limit. This means your report might be 6+ pages. There is no specific limit for each section
Do I have to use the template provided? No, you dont have to use the template provided, however, it does contain some useful information/reminders about what to include in your Investigation Report
How many references/what kinds of references are required? See model investigation report for examples. Recommendation is about 5 references, preferably less than 10 years old (depending on context).
Do I have to buy my own equipment? The task is designed such that you are not required to purchase any equipment unless you want to. There is also equipment available in the science store room. Contact the lab technician for EDS102 for more details.
Do I have to complete an investigation based on the scenarios presented? No, you can design your own investigation, however, you need to demonstrate the skills of designing an appropriate testable question, which is difficult without a context. All independently designed investigations must be signed off by the subject coordinator.
How do I attach the progressive Task to my assessment? Once Progressive Task 1 is marked, please download from Turnitin (see snip on the right hand side, which shows you the cog and download button. Once you select the download button which is the down arrow and horizontal line, you should select download current view, as this will include markers comments). Some of you might change your testable question after the Progressive Task feedback, this is fine, please submit this Task even if it does not reflect the Investigation you focus on in your final Investigation Report. 4826325171450
Can I use AI for this assessment? It is not recommended that you use GenAI for this task as it will not likely be helpful overall. The task involves you demonstrating your understanding of investigation skills, so whilst you might find AI useful to help with editing, the Investigation and report need to be created independently. In addition, the report is required to adhere to certain guidelines and format (see above). GenAI generated content will not do this and this might compromise marks.
