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Research Paper Rubric Name: ___________________________ Date: ___________________ Score: __________________

Category Exceeds Standard Meets Standard Nearly Meets Standard Does not meet standard

Title Page Running Head, Title, Your name, Course Name, Date, Instructor’s name, Institution Title includes variables and some indication of relations (e.g. “difference between”, effects of x on y). APA style is completely correct.

All relevant parts of the title page are included. Title/RH is appropriate but is not be very concise

Title/RH does not effectively convey all the variables in the study. Some needed elements are missing.

Title page is either missing or contains inaccuracies. Title page does not follow APA style.

Abstract Abstract includes research question, variables, number and type of participants and anticipated results

Focus of research is unclear. Participant information and anticipated results not stated.

Introduction Clearly and concisely describes topic and its importance, why the topic was chosen, and questions to be answered.

Describes topic and its importance; fails to describe key questions

Introduction describes the topic and its importance ambiguously.

Introduction is incomplete and/or nonfocused. Does not adequately convey topic.

Review of Literature Succinctly summarizes literature without reproducing it. Good use of paraphrase and summaries of main ideas. Focus is on the research, rather than the researchers. Relationship of studies to each other and to present study is apparent.

Studies are generally described in enough detail so that relationships between studies can be understood. The review contains unnecessary quotations, or poor paraphrases of the original articles.

Some of the reviewed literature seems to be inappropriate or not well- linked to the topic. Review contains many lengthy quotes. Review is basically a reproduction of the literature.

Review consists of a description of several articles with no attempts to link findings to each other or to the paper. Review is unfocused or material is inappropriate.

Organizational Structural Development of Ideas

Ideas are logical and sequenced. Paragraphs are well organized; effective use of transitions to facilitate flow

Paragraph development present but not perfected

Logical organization; ideas not fully developed

Little evidence of structure or organization

Conclusion Engaging; summarizes key findings, indicates points of comparison and contrast in research, answers initial questions, highlights own position on topic. Advances argument for conducting current study

Summarizes key findings and answers initial questions. Suggests avenues for future research

Summarizes key findings. Summary merely a restatement of research. No contrasts or comparisons; no attempt to answer initial questions. Author’s own position if included appears confused.

Methods Section: Participants

Sample is appropriate given the nature of the study. Participant information includes number and all necessary characteristics. Any recruitment criteria are noted.

Sample size is appropriate. Generally adequate description of participants. Some important characteristics omitted

Participant information is presented in a manner that is unclear and unfocused. Sample size may be too small given the nature of the study.

Participants are inadequately described. Sample size is too small given the nature of the study. Replication would not be possible.

Methods Section: Measures and Materials

Measures and materials are accurately described with enough detail that a reader could replicate the study. Materials are appropriate given the hypothesis. If materials are self-created, method of assuring validity and reliability should be included.

Materials are appropriate, but description is not complete. More detail is needed.

Materials are incomplete and/or not appropriate given the hypothesis. Description is lacking in details

Measures and materials are poorly selected; have little validity for the purpose for which used. No description of methods or materials.

Hypotheses Hypotheses are all clearly stated, and directional predictions are made based on previous literature. Hypotheses are testable. It is clear what the experimental groups will be and what will be measured.

Main hypotheses are stated clearly and directional predictions are made, but it is somewhat unclear what the experimental groups will be or what will be measured.

Variables in main hypothesis are stated, but no directional prediction about the relation between the variables is specifically stated. It is unclear what the experimental groups will be and what will be measured.

Hypotheses are not stated or the direction does not follow from the literature presented.

Methods Section: Design

The design of the study is clear and complete and appropriate to test hypothesis. Variables are appropriate and operationalized properly. Independent and Dependent variables are correctly identified.

Design is complete and appropriate but not clearly described. Variables are appropriately operationalized.

Design is not complete or the operationalization of the variables is not clear. Measured variables may not be appropriate.

Design is not appropriate for hypothesis. Variables are not operationalized or not valid. Independent and dependent variables misidentified.

Methods Section: Procedure

Procedure is appropriate and ethical. Procedures are described, in order, with enough detail that a reader could replicate the study; instructions and protocols are included. Condition assignments are clear; randomization and counterbalancing are explained as necessary.

Procedure is appropriate and ethical. The description is primarily complete but some minor details may be missing, or some procedural aspects could be explained more clearly.

Procedure is appropriate and ethical. The description is not in order or is difficult to follow. Some details appear absent.

Procedure is not appropriate or not ethical. The description is unclear, or many major details are omitted.

Summary/Anticipated Results

Summary clearly restates research issue/problem; provides a rationale for

Research issue/problem is restated but purpose of the study, rationale, or

Summary muddled. Problem and rationale for study are unclear. No

No restatement of issue/problem. Rationale and purpose of the study

examining the issue; reviews the purpose of the study; discusses anticipated results

anticipated results are missing.

discussion of anticipated results.

not discussed. No discussion of possible outcomes

Reference Section Reference page includes all and only cited articles. The articles are appropriately scholarly and appropriate to the topic. Reference section is in APA format, double spaced with hanging indent. Contains more than the required number of references.

Reference page may leave out a cited article or include one that is not cited. The references are scholarly. The page is in APA style with only minor errors. Contains the required number of references

Some references appear inappropriate for paper. Key references are clearly cited from other sources and not likely read by the student. Reference page is generally in APA style but with many errors. Reference page contains hyperlinks.

Reference list is more like a bibliography. Fewer than 8 references or several reverences that are not scholarly or references included that are from the internet. Many format errors.

Format Times New Roman 12 Font; double spaced; appropriate headings; appropriate margins

Format does not meet South standards and guidelines

Mechanics No errors in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

Few errors in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

Many errors in punctuation, capitalization and spelling interfere with the reading of the paper

Numerous distracting errors make reading and comprehension difficult. Writing ability is well below that which is expected from a graduate level student

Usage Excellent word choice. No errors in sentence structure or word usage.

Almost no errors in sentence structure and word usage. Periodic incomplete sentences, problems with subject/verb agreement, or run on sentences, but

Distracting errors in sentence structure and word usage. Incomplete sentences, lack of subject/verb agreement, or run on sentences obscure the meaning of

The number of errors in grammar, usage, and sentence syntax suggests writing which is well below that expected from a graduate level student.

not to the point of being distracting from the overall focus of the paper.

some sentences or paragraphs.

Paraphrase and Quotes Uses paraphrasing and gives appropriate credit for ideas. Uses quotations only when they are essential to the understanding of an idea or concept or when it is essential to “hear” the words of the original author. Quotations contain appropriate citations and include page or paragraph numbers.

Some use of direct quotations. Quotations generally contain the appropriate citation. Quotations over 40 words are placed in a free-standing block, indented without quotation marks.

Paper contains many direct quotations where use of paraphrasing would be appropriate. Direct quotations are in the appropriate format and generally correctly cited.

Paper is generally a linking of multiple direct quotations. Many quotations lack citation or are incorrectly cited. In many instances, information from other sources is used without giving appropriate credit.

Citations All cited works are done in correct format with no errors (APA style manual, 6th edition)

Majority of cited works are done in correct format. Some inconsistencies are evident.

Few works are cited, but format is correct

Citations are incorrectly formatted or absent.