CRITICAL THINKING [25 points]

6. Goal - understands the purpose/goal of the lab in the correct context.

0	1	2	3	4	5
Purpose is missing or incorrect		Purpose is stated but is drawn from the lab sheets		Purpose is stated in the context of astronomy and the scientific method

7. Procedure - understands the sequential nature of the lab.

How does the exercise's procedure lead directly to the final result? Can the result be improved upon (i.e., made more believable)? Given a lot more time, how would you change the procedure? Can the data quality and/or quantity be improved?

0	1	2	3	4	5
Procedural summary is absent or copied from the lab sheets.		Procedural summary is paraphrased, concise, some sense of flow, tendency to be in cookbook format		Procedural summary is paraphrased as a means to and end the underlying principles are understood

8. Assumptions - understands the assumptions, simplifications, and/or systematic errors that support the procedure (i.e., WHY the lab achieves the desired result).

0	1	2	3	4	5
No recognition of assumptions or built-in errors		Recognition of assumptions and errors, but is unable to justify an opinion regarding the size of errors		Understands the assumptions, can quantify and/or defend errors

9. Consequences - understands the implications of the conclusions.

Work beyond the conclusions: the lab result can suggest consequences, implications, of have a wider applicability, e.g., would a conclusion about our solar systembe true for each individual planet (deduction), or is a conclusion a part of a larger body of physical processes (induction)?

0	1	2	3	4	5
Missing or misguided attempt to extrapolate conclusions beyond the stated goal		Recognizes a few select applications of the results		Broad viewpoint that empowers prediction

10. Perspective - understands and employs the verification of the results with an independent authority

All of the lab exercises have been performed, on a grant scale, by professional scientists. Literature searches will reveal their results. How do your results compare? Does it help to compare your results with other students?

0	1	2	3	4	5
Verification is missing, copied from the lab sheets, or incorrect		Verification is made without reference to its authority or to alternate viewpoints (if applicable)		Authoritative verification is made, contrasted with alternate viewpoints if applicable