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Contributed by: New York State Alternative Assessment in Science
Project (NYSED)
Maximum Score - 29 Points
| Question 1. |
4 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 4 points if the student states a hypothesis that identifies
a variable, expected effect/change, and directionality of effect.
Sample of acceptable response:
Alamain lowers the blood pressure in humans with high
blood pressure.
- Allow 3 points if the stated hypothesis includes only two
of the factors above.
- Allow 2 points if the stated hypothesis only includes one
of the factors above.
- No credit if the stated hypothesis includes none of the factors
above even if it is in complete sentences.
***Deduct 1 point if the answer includes at least one of
the above factors but it is not in complete sentences.
| Question 2. |
4 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 4 points if the student states these factors:
An equal number in the experimental and control groups.
A number between 50 and 1000 is suggested, but the teacher
should decide if the chosen number is acceptable.
An adequate explanation why the number was chosen.
Sample of acceptable response:
The number 50 was chosen since it will average out any
variations not controlled for in the experimental design.
The number 100 was chosen since it is a large enough number
to eliminate any uncontrolled variables, but not too large
as to be unmanageable.
- Allow 3 points if the student states only two of the above
factors.
- Allow 2 points if the student states only one of the above
factors.
***Deduct 1 point if the answer includes at least one of
the above factors, but is not written in complete sentences.
| Question 3. |
5 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 1 point for each of the five factors listed that can
be associated with causing high blood pressure.
Sample of acceptable responses, but not limited to:
Age, smoker or non-smoker, sex, present blood pressure,
diet, stress, amount of daily exercise, percent body fat,
weight, family history, daily or weekly alcohol consumption,
cholesterol level, etc.
| Question 4. |
2 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 2 points for an explanation that all of the participants
should be matched as closely as possible to the factors listed
in Question 3 to reduce the variation between participants or
that the participants start out as similar as possible so no
other variable could be affecting the blood pressure.
- Allow 1 point for a correct explanation, but not written in
complete sentences.
- No credit for an incorrect response even if written in complete
sentences.
| Question 5. |
2 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 2 points for stating or describing that random sampling
must be used. Statement should be written in complete sentences.
- Allow for 1 point for a correct statement but not written
in complete sentences.
- No credit for an incorrect response even if written in complete
sentences.
| Question 6. |
3 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 3 points if the student states that a harmless substance
be made into a pill with the same size and shape as the experimental
pill, and that this would be done to make sure the participants
would not know if they were given the drug or not.
- Allow 2 points if only one of the above is stated.
***Deduct 1 point if the answer includes at least one of
the above factors but is not in complete sentences.
- No credit for an incorrect response even if written in complete
sentences.
| Question 7. |
2 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 2 points if the student states that the experimental
and placebo pills should be administered to the participants
on a regular basis (once a day, once a week, every two weeks,
etc.).
- Allow 1 point for a correct statement but not in complete
sentences.
- No credit for an incorrect response even if written in complete
sentences.
| Question 8. |
4 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 4 points for stating the following measurements/tests/observations:
Measurement of blood pressure
Measurement done on a regular basis (once a day, once a week,
every two weeks, etc.)
Tests or observations to measure harmful side effects
- Allow 3 points if the student states any two of the above
items.
- Allow 2 points if the student states only one of the above
items.
***Deduct 1 point if the answer includes at least one of
the above factors but is not in complete sentences.
- No credit for an incorrect response even if written in complete
sentences.
| Question 9. |
3 points total |
Criteria:
- Allow 3 points for stating these criteria or observations:
The drug is successful if it lowered the blood pressure
of the experimental group.
There were no harmful side effects.
- Allow 2 points if the student states only one of the above
items.
***Deduct 1 point if the answer includes at least one of
the above factors but is not in complete sentences.
- No credit for an incorrect response even if written in complete
sentences.
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Highest possible score - 29 points |
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