Categories for Empirical Reasoning

Science Practices

Verbs

Planning, Designing and Data Acquisition

• Understands interrelationships among central science concepts; 
• Develops  productive questions(s);
• Selects observation tools and procedures;
• Selects measurement tools and units of measurement; and
• Uses central science concepts to build and critique arguments.

presents
asks
responds
discusses
revises
expands

challenges
critiques
knows
uses
interprets

Data Collection

• Sets standards for quality control;
• Proposes controls;
• Forms conventions;
• Observes systematically;
• Measures accurately; and
• Structures data

examines
reviews
evaluates
modifies
generates

Evidence (Data Use)

• Masters conceptual understandings;
• Generates evidence;
• Structures evidence;
• Uses results of measurement and observation; and
• Constructs and defends arguments using evidence;

extends
refines
revises
decides
categorizes

Patterns (Modeled Evidence)

• Creates evidence-based models (conceptual, mathematical, and symbolic);
• Models mathematically;
• Masters use of mathematical, physical and computational tools; and
• Presents evidence.

represents
evaluates
predicts
discovers
interprets

manipulates
build
refines
analyzes
models

Explanation

• Understandings how evidence and arguments based on evidence are generated;
• Searches for core explanation;
• Considers alternatives;
• Builds conceptual-based models;
• Proposes theories;
• Revises predictions and explanations; and
• Generates new and productive questions.

builds
refines
represents
interacts