8 pg paper

RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC

Category Excellent / 10 Good / 7 Below Average / 3

Introduction - Attracts interest by convincing the topic is important - Describes the problem, if any, to be solved - Mentions the objectives and justifies the significance of

the study - Provides the research question(s) to be explored - Delineates subtopics to be reviewed

- Attracts some interest by convincing the topic is important

- Mentions the objectives and justifies the study - Provides the research question(s) to be explored

- No or little effort to convince the topic is important and interesting

- Does not provide any objectives - Does not include any research question(s) - There is no or quite weak explanation for the

significance and justification of the study

Focus of the Topic and Coherence

- The topic is focused well enough for the scope of the assignment

- A thesis statement provides direction for the paper - Strong transitions within and between paragraphs linking

subtopics, and main topic - Writing is flowing and easy to follow

- The topic is focused but lacks direction - The paper is about a specific topic but the writer

has not established a position - Attempts to provide variety of transitions - Writing is mostly well and clear passages

- The topic is too broad for the scope of this assignment

- The topic is not clearly defined - Weak or no transitions within and between

paragraphs - Writing is choppy with unclear passages

Literature Review and Sources

- More than five current sources, of which at least five are peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly book chapters

- Provides significant and relevant background research into the topic by integrating and interpreting sources

- Summarizes important findings from the review of the literature

- Sources are also used to support the argument of the study

- Cited sources appropriately

- Less than five sources, some of which are peer- reviewed journal articles or scholarly book chapters

- Provides moderate background research into the topic

- Some sources are partially relevant to the topic of the study

- Sources are partially used to support the argument of the study

- Cited sources appropriately

- One or two sources are used, only. Sources are not peer-reviewed/scholarly

- Neglects important sources - Provides a weak background research into the

topic - No evidence is drawn from source - Does not cite sources, or cited inappropriately

Discussion and Conclusion

- Addresses the topic with clarity - Organizes, synthesizes, and discusses information - In-depth discussion and elaboration in all sections of the

paper - Draws conclusions - Presents clear recommendations and/or implications for

future research

- Addresses the topic - Acceptable discussion and elaboration in most

sections of the paper - Quotations from others outweigh the writer’s own

ideas excessively - Organizes, synthesizes, and discusses information - Lacks substantive conclusions - Sometimes deviates from topic of focus

- Does not address the topic well - There is either too short, or no synthesis and/or

discussion - Presents little to no clarity in formulating

conclusions and/or organization

Other Requirements (Proofread/Edit, Writing Format, Citation, Due Date)

- Is free or almost free of errors of grammar, spelling, and writing mechanics

- Six (6) to eight (8) pages - Double-spaced, 12 size, Times New Roman font - Cites all data obtained from other sources. - APA citation style is used in both text and bibliography - Submission on time

- Minimal grammar, spelling and/or writing mistakes that do not affect the meaning

- Applies writing format and uses APA style partially - Cites some data obtained from other sources, and

time to time citation style is either inconsistent or incorrect

- Submission on time

- Unacceptable number of mistakes and errors that obscure meaning of content or add confusion

- Does not apply writing format, nor the APA style - Does not cite properly (according to APA style) - Late submission, or no submission at all