BBA 3626 Research Paper

Criteria

Achievement Level

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Introduction (10 points)

0 - 5 Presents little to no coherent information on the topic to engage the reader in the paper. Components of the thesis and/or summary of main points may be missing. The point of view may be unclear or too general. Provides no road map for the paper or provides one that does not accurately reflect the paper’s content.

6 - 6 Fails to provide enough background to truly engage the reader in the topic. Presents the essay’s thesis and a summary of main points so that the writer’s point of view or interpretation is fairly clear, but several components may be missing. Provides a road map for the paper that may require a lot of work.

7 - 7 Somewhat engages the reader with background information on the paper topic. Presents the essay’s thesis and a summary of main points so that the writer’s point of view or interpretation is somewhat clear, but a few components may be missing. Provides a road map for the paper that may need some work.

8 - 8 Mostly engages the reader with some form of creative “hook” and basic background information on the paper topic. Presents the essay’s thesis and a summary of the main points, mostly clarifying the writer’s point of view or interpretation, but a component may be lacking or need work. Provides a fairly clear road map for the paper either in the thesis statement or body of the introduction.

9 - 10 Engages the reader in the topic with some form of creative “hook” (such as a story, quote, example, etc.) and provides a clear background for the topic so that readers can gain an understanding of the purpose of the paper. Clearly presents the essay’s thesis and a summary of the main points that clarify the writer’s point of view. Provides a clear road map for the paper either in the thesis statement or body of introduction.

Review of Literature (25 points)

0 - 14 A literature review is present, but ideas are not always connected, do not flow, and may not be related to the topic. There is little to no analysis or synthesis of ideas. Quotations may often be used instead of summaries or synthesis of ideas.

15 - 17 The literature review is present; however, analysis or synthesis of all materials needs improvement. Transitions and flow may be somewhat choppy. Some quotations are used instead of summaries or synthesis of ideas.

18 - 19 The literature review is present, but analysis or synthesis of some materials may need improvement. Transitions and flow could be improved. Some quotations are used instead of summaries or synthesis of ideas.

20 - 22 The literature review is present, but analysis or synthesis of one or two materials may be somewhat lacking. Transition and flow may not always be perfectly smooth. Quoted materials are used only when the specific wording is itself crucial to conveying an author’s point of view.

23 - 25 The literature review is present and presents a critical analysis and synthesis of the existing research. Transition and flow are smooth. Quoted materials are used only when the specific wording is itself crucial to conveying an author’s point of view.

Discussion of Literature (35 points)

0 - 20 Little to no analysis of research is provided. Arrangement is haphazard and difficult to follow and/or paper strays substantially from topic.

21 - 24 Discussion provides basic or general analysis of research. Arrangement is less than clear, or organization is clear but there are some digressions.

25 - 27 Discussion provides some insightful analysis of research. The overall arrangement is logical but is occasionally difficult to follow.

28 - 31 Discussion provides a mostly insightful analysis of research. The organization is easy to follow but may not be fully convincing.

32 - 35 Discussion reveals insightful analysis of research. The organization results in clarity and presents logically arranged points.

Summary (10 points)

0 - 5 The summary is not present and/or fails to address or review the information.

6 - 6 The summary mostly fails to review or summarize several key points of the report or make a connection to the course/field or how the information will be applied.

7 - 7 A summary is present but may fail to review or summarize some of the key points of the report or make a connection to the course/field or how the information will be applied.

8 - 8 An adequate summary is provided that addresses the main points of the report but may fail to connect to the course and/or field or how the information will be applied.

9 - 10 A thorough summary is provided that includes the premise, importance to the course and/or field, and how the information will be applied.

Writing Mechanics (10 points)

0 - 5 Writing lacks clarity and conciseness. Serious problems with sentence structure and grammar. Numerous major or minor errors in punctuation and/or spelling. General requirements are not met at all.

6 - 6 Writing lacks clarity or conciseness. Minor problems with sentence structure and some grammatical errors. Several minor errors in punctuation and/or spelling. General requirements of the assignment are slightly met.

7 - 7 Writing is somewhat clear and concise. Sentence structure and grammar are adequate and mostly correct. Few minor errors in punctuation and/or spelling. General requirements of the assignment are somewhat met.

8 - 8 Writing is mostly clear and concise. Sentence structure and grammar are strong and mostly correct. Few minor errors in punctuation and/or spelling. General requirements of the assignment are mostly met.

9 - 10 Writing is clear and concise. Sentence structure and grammar are excellent. Correct use of punctuation. No spelling errors. General requirements of the assignment are met.

Citations and Formatting (10 points)

0 - 5 APA guidelines are barely followed if at all. The majority of sources used are not academically reliable. Reference entries and in-text citations follow APA formatting guidelines, but many errors are present. Several in-text citations do not have references and vice versa.

6 - 6 APA guidelines are loosely followed. Some peer-reviewed papers are used along with non-academically reliable sources. Reference entries may somewhat follow APA formatting guidelines; several major errors in in-text citations or references may be present. Some in-text citations do not have references and vice-versa.

7 - 7 APA guidelines are somewhat followed. Most sources used are peer-reviewed papers, though two or more sources are not academically reliable. Reference entries and in-text citations show effort to follow APA formatting guidelines; several errors in in-text citations or references may be present. Most in-text citations are referenced and vice versa.

8 - 8 APA guidelines are mostly followed correctly. The number of sources meets any expressed assignment requirements, and all but one source is a peer-reviewed paper. Reference entries and in-text citations follow APA formatting guidelines fairly well and are usually correct. All in-text citations are referenced and vice versa.

9 - 10 APA guidelines are correctly followed. The number of sources meets or exceeds any expressed assignment requirements. Every source used is peer-reviewed or academic in nature. Reference entries and in-text citations follow APA formatting guidelines and are free of errors. All in-text citations are referenced and vice versa.

[FOR INTERNAL ASSESSMENT ONLY. THIS ITEM IS NOT CONSIDERED IN THE STUDENT’S GRADE.] Communication Uses oral and written communication skills effectively, resulting in the use of standard English to present original thought; utilize verbal and non-verbal responses; organize and present material to specific audiences; and be persuasive in one-to-one and one-to-many idea exchanges. (0 points)

0 - 0 The learner clearly lacks communication skills; meaning of intended message may be altogether unclear or confused; the target audience is disregarded and obviously misidentified; resulting in the non-transfer of information and/or ideas.

0 - 0 The learner attempted to communicate; however, effectiveness is hampered by confusion of the narrative’s main idea and supporting details, its purpose and/or, its target audience. Often, a lack of proficiency in the English language is evident, marked by colloquialisms and word usage errors that impede audience understanding.

0 - 0 The learner demonstrates an understanding of the main idea and purpose of the communication, yet supporting details may be limited or unrelated and there is consideration of the targeted audience. The narrative indicates an acceptable level of ability in the use of standard English, marked by some colloquialisms and other errors, which do not impede understanding.

0 - 0 The learner is competent in communication skills, demonstrating the ability to respond in a clear and concise manner; uses a variety of communication methods to inform and persuade different audiences; and exhibited proficient and effective use of the English language.

0 - 0 The learner’s communication reflects purpose for the intended audience and fully develops main ideas. The narrative is exhibited in an organized manner, focusing on content that is cohesive, with varied construction and delivered with a strong proficiency of vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics.