Prepare an original research paper of five to six pages of text, not counting title, abstract, or reference pages. It must use APA formatting and should use third person and past tense. There must be a thesis, and the thesis must take a position. The pape

GENERAL RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC

Criteria Levels of Achievement Total

Possible 300

Content (70%)

Advanced 90 to 100%

Proficient 70 to 89%

Developing 1 to 69%

Not Present

Total

Topic (5%)

13.5-15 points Topic choice is relevant to the course and is focused so as to lead to meaningful research.

10.5-13.4 points Topic choice is mostly relevant to the course and is largely focused so as to lead to meaningful research.

0.1-10.4 points Topic choice is largely unrelated to the course and is largely unfocused.

0 points Not

present

Thesis Statement

(20%)

54-60 points Paper contains a focused, one sentence thesis statement which proposes a logical argument. The thesis statement section includes: • Background and precedents—discusses

what led to this particular treatment of this particular question.

• Definition of terms—research is held accountable only to the stated definitions.

• A discussion of: o what data set (set of facts) would be

needed to change the thesis statement position; and

o whether that data set exists.

42-53.9 points Paper contains an adequately focused, one sentence thesis statement which proposes a logical argument. The thesis statement section generally includes: • Background and precedents—discusses

what led to this particular treatment of this particular question.

• Definition of terms—research is held accountable only to the stated definitions.

• A discussion of: o what set of facts would be needed

to change the thesis statement position; and

o whether that data set exists.

0.1-41.9 points Paper contains a largely unfocused, thesis statement which does not propose a logical argument.

0 points Not

present

Literature Review, Data Presentation, Reasoning &

Support (20%)

54-60 points • Paper provides a balanced and thorough

presentation, fairly including counterpoints, and facts rather than opinions or anecdotes.

• Presuppositions are stated early, and assertions are supported with numerous citations from required research.

• Relevant and appropriate Biblical references are used in context.

42-53.9 points • For the most part, paper provides a

balanced and adequate presentation, including counterpoints, and facts rather than opinions or anecdotes.

• Presuppositions are stated, and assertions throughout the paper are generally supported with citations from required research.

• Biblical references are used in context.

0.1-41.9 points • Paper often fails to provide a

balanced and thorough presentation of the facts.

• The paper often relies on opinions or anecdotes.

• Presuppositions are not stated, and/or assertions throughout the paper are often unsupported with citations from required research.

• Biblical references are not used, or not used in context.

0 points Not

present

2

Findings & Conclusions

(20%)

54-60 points Findings & conclusion answer the thesis statement, and provides a clear connection from the data analysis.

42-53.9 points Findings & conclusion generally answer the thesis statement, and provides a mostly connection from the data analysis.

0.1-41.9 points Findings & conclusion don’t answer the thesis statement, and largely fails to provide a clear connection from the data analysis.

0 points Not

present

Organization (5%)

13.5-15 points Paper flows well and is easily read.

10.5-13.4 points Paper mostly flows from topic presentation to conclusions.

0.1-10.4 points Paper has difficult areas to read, is not well organized.

0 points Not

present

Structure (30%)

Advanced 90 to 100%

Proficient 70 to 89%

Developing 1 to 69%

Not Present

Total

Grammar & Spelling (7.5%)

20.2-22.5 points 2 or fewer grammar and spelling errors.

15.8-20.1 points 3-6 grammar and spelling errors.

0.1-15.7 points More than 6 grammar and spelling errors.

0 points Not

present

APA Formatting

(7.5%)

20.2-22.5 points 2 or fewer APA errors.

15.8-20.1 points 3-6 APA errors.

0.1-15.7 points More than 6 APA errors.

0 points Not

present

Required Sources (7.5%)

20.2-22.5 points Paper includes the use of at least 5 relevant sources which are appropriate to the topic from a variety of sources, including both viewpoint & medium.

15.8-20.1 points Paper includes the use of at least 4 relevant sources which are appropriate to the topic from a variety of sources, including both viewpoint & medium.

0.1-15.7 points Paper includes less than 4 relevant sources which are relevant to the topic and includes different viewpoints.

0 points Not

present

Required Length (7.5%)

20.2-22.5 points +/-10% of required length, double-spaced. The title page and reference list do not count towards the length.

15.8-20.1 points +/-15% of the required length.

0.1-15.7 points Greater than 15% of the required length.

0 points Not

present

Professor Comments:

Prof Robert Cooper Total: /300