Microarray Paper

Poor (1)

Fair (2)

Good (3)

Excellent (4)

Points Earned

Weighting

Title

Either missing or fails to describe the topic

Identifies a broad topic but fails to convey the more narrowly defined focus of the paper

Identifies the topic but is excessively wordy

Identifies the narrowly defined topic and avoids unnecessary words and phrases

5%

Introduction and Discussion

The research focus is unclear. The concepts in the discussion are not tied back to the information presented in the background. Future work is missing.

An attempt was made to state the topic and to review key knowledge in the field but the arguments are not well-supported by references to the published literature. Future work is missing.

The topic is stated and information presented gives the reader a general idea of the state of knowledge in the field. Key points made in the discussion tie back to points introduced in the background section. An attempt was made to suggest useful next steps or future works.

The topic is clearly stated and information presented clearly supports the topic. The discussion ties back to key points made in the background section. Logical experiments are proposed for future work.

30%

Content

-# of up-/down-regulated genes

-GO Biological processes pie chart

-gene locus, other names, biological processes, cellular component, growth and development stages when expressed, plant structures where protein is expressed, protein length, molecular weight, isoelectric point, interpro domains

Multiple required elements are missing (see list under content) and/or figure legends are missing and/or text other than the figure legends is lacking to support the figures.

A few elements are missing (see list under content) and/or figure legends lack clarity and/or text does not adequately inform the reader what data has been compiled.

All elements are present, figure legends are present, and text is included to inform the reader what data has been compiled.

All elements are present. Figure legends are clear. The text adequately informs the reader what data has been compiled and refers the reader to the appropriate figures.

50%

Organization

Writing does not logically flow from one concept to the next. Paragraphs lack topic sentences. The writer’s meaning or intent is often unclear.

In general, the writing is logically organized. Occasionally paragraphs contain more than one main idea or concepts unrelated to the main idea of the paragraph or lack a topic sentence. The writer’s meaning or intent is occassionally unclear.

The writing is logically organized. Paragraphs contain one topic sentence and supporting sentences clearly flow from one to the other. Paragraphs are clearly linked to each other. The reader has a fairly clear idea of what the writer intends.

The writing is logically organized to support the central purpose. Paragraphs contain a topic sentence, only one main idea and are ordered to support the preceding one within subheadings. The reader easily understands the writer’s meaning.

5%

Language Mechanics:

Sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation

Errors in sentence structure, grammar, spelling or punctuation are so frequent as to be a major distraction to the reader.

Some sentences are awkwardly constructed so that the reader is occasionally distracted or there are many spelling and punctuation errors.

Sentences are well-phrased and there is some variety in length and structure. There are few errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation.

Sentences are well-phrased and there is some variety in length and structure. Writing is either free from errors or nearly free from errors.

5%

References

Student failed to cite sources throughout the paper and/or fFewer than 6 research articles are utilized.

Sources are cited occasionally but many statements are unsubstantiated. Required format for in-text citations was not used.

Most of the writing is supported by correctly formatted citations. Only professionally acceptable sources are cited.

Writing is adequately supported by correctly formatted citations. Only professionally acceptable sources are cited.

5%