Table 12 Levels of science tasks, relevant behavioral performance codes, and source examples

Identifying and remembering

Identifying information;

Recognizing a problem;

Observing a phenomenon;

Remembering a fact;

Recognizing a relationship;

Recalling a fact;

Describing information;

Comparing phenomena;

Finding a law;

Classifying information

Interview: “Identification of data and information in graphs or tables”;

PISA 2006: Recognizing issues that are possible to investigate scientifically;

Interview: “Carefully observe color changes in a chemical experiment”;

Interview: “Remember the formulas in physics and chemical equations”;

Interview: “Recognizing that iron and dilute sulfuric acid can react chemically”;

NAEP: NAEP 2009-12S10#2;

PISA 2003: Describing scientific phenomena

NAEP 2011-8S11 #3;

NAEP 2009-12S9 #14;

Interview: “Classification of chemicals into compounds, single substances and other classes”;

Explaining and applying

Explaining phenomena;

Calculating variables;

Explaining a purpose

Describing examples;

Interpreting a model;

Predicting phenomena;

Predicting knowledge;

Building a model

Explaining a relationship;

Making judgments;

NAEP 2009-12S10 #1

NAEP 2009-12S10 #3

Interview: “Explaining the purpose of controlling variables in photosynthesis experiments”;

Interview: “Giving an example of what a particle is”;

Interview: “Explaining the working principle model of a primary battery”

NAEP: “Predicting the results of the observation”

NAEP 2009-12S9 #16

Interview: “Explaining phenomena by building a particle model, charge model, atomic structure model, etc.”

Interview: “Explaining the connection between atomic structure and properties of matter”;

Interview: “Judging the reducibility of zinc, iron and copper”

Inquiring and argument

Evidence-based argument;

Rational evaluation;

Systemic inquiring;

Selecting instruments;

Proposing programs

TIMSS: “Proposing arguments based on the evidence”;

Interview: “Evaluating and demonstrating the rationality of different design schemes or assumptions”;

NAEP 2009-12S9 #7;

NAEP: “Using appropriate tools and techniques to conduct scientific inquiry”

PISA: “Proposing a feasible research program for a given question”

Innovative design

Weighing choices;

Improving defects;

Improving living;

Designing and completing production

NAEP: Identifying scientific trade-offs in design decisions and choosing among alternative solutions

NAEP: Proposing or critiquing solutions to problems given criteria and scientific constraints

TIMSS: “Proposing research questions based on observation”

Interview: “Designing and making a simple alcohol detector based on chemical principles and sensors”