Observation of Social Behavior

Rubric for Observation of Social Behavior

Title Page contains all required information

Flawless use of APA style and contains all required information

Minor errors in APA style and/or informational content 

Utilizes basic APA style but includes consistent errors and/or is missing some required information

Pervasive errors in APA style and/or missing multiple pieces of required information

Missing key components of an APA title page.

Title page not submitted.

/ 5

Goals are stated appropriately

Effectively defines two to three achievable goals for observations conducted; provides critical supporting explanation/logic

Defines two to three goals and provides surface-level supporting explanation/logic; goals are reasonably achievable per the justifications presented

Addresses two to three goals and provides a brief explanation of logic in effort to justify goals; goals should be attainable but explanation/logic does not demonstrate strongest path forward

Goals are not clearly stated, but one or two may be extrapolated from the general direction of the paper

Goals are not clearly sated and are not easily extrapolated by the reader 

Does not identify goals.

/ 5

Research Question is clearly stated

Effectively defines scope of the research; clearly states a specific question or set of questions to be answered

Defines scope of the research; provides surface-level supporting statement introducing a specific question or set of questions to be answered

Addresses the scope of the research; provides a brief statement introducing a specific question or set of questions to be answered, but statement lacks details

Research question is not clearly stated, but may be extrapolated from the general direction of the paper

Research question is not clearly sated and is not easily extrapolated by the reader  

Paper void of evidence of a research goal.

/ 5

Population is described appropriately

Effectively and appropriately describes the population observed;  information is considered critically, stated clearly and described comprehensively

Defines and appropriately describes the population observed; information is considered critically, and omissions do not impact overall understanding of the population's dynamics   

Addresses and describes the population observed; information is considered critically, but description leaves ambiguities unexplored, and/or key variables unknown 

Population may be described; information is considered critically but stated without clarification or description 

Population may be described but information is considered on the surface without critical analysis or clarification 

Information is inaccurate or lacks attempt at accurate, appropriate description of the population

/ 5

Abstracts are appropriate and well-integrated

Five appropriate abstracts from social psychological literature; abstracts attached; expert explanation of how the research helps form the research  question

Four to five appropriate abstracts from social psychological literature; abstracts attached; brief explanation of how the research helps form the research  question

Three to four appropriate abstracts from social psychological literature; abstracts attached; brief explanation of how the research helps form the research  question

Two to five abstracts; abstracts may be from sources other than social psychological literature; abstracts may be attached; plausible explanation of how the research helps form the research  question 

One to five abstracts; abstracts may be from sources other than social psychological literature; abstracts may be attached; incomplete or inaccurate explanation of how the research helps form the research  question 

Abstracts not presented or are not related to research question

/ 5

An introduction previews main points

Skillfully, with clarity, discusses the observation setting; Includes sufficient detail to demonstrate  how the setting might have affected behaviors discussed throughout the paper.

Straightforward  discussion of the observation setting; Includes sufficient detail to demonstrate  how the setting might have affected behaviors discussed throughout the paper. 

Generally describes the observation setting; details lacks clarity; ambiguity fogs understanding of how the setting might have affected behaviors discussed throughout the paper. 

Observation setting may be described; information is vague/limits understanding of how the setting might have affected behaviors discussed throughout the paper. 

Observation setting may be mentioned but not described. It is not clear how the setting might have affected behaviors discussed throughout the paper. 

Observation setting is not addressed.  It is not clear how the setting might have affected behaviors discussed throughout the paper. 

/ 5

Observations are detailed appropriately

Meaningfully details the behaviors observed,  

Provides sufficient details about the behaviors observed,   

Broadly details the behaviors observed; ambiguity possibly noted

Addresses the behaviors observed, but does not provide meaningful details

Mentions behaviors were observed, but does not provide meaningful details.

Does not detail or discuss behaviors observed.

/ 5

Citations and references in proper APA style

Flawless use of APA style

Minor errors in APA style

Utilizes basic APA style but includes consistent errors

Pervasive errors in APA style

Missing key components of an APA style

Fails to utilize APA style

/ 5

Results are stated clearly and conclusions draw appropriately from the information gathered.

Results are stated clearly; meaningful, insightful, explanation given for conclusions drawn based upon behaviors observed.  Explanation includes linkages to social psychology theories.

Results are stated clearly; straightforward explanation given for conclusions drawn based upon behaviors observed. Explanation includes some linkages to social psychology theories. 

Results are stated, but may not be consistently clear.  Straightforward explanation given for conclusions drawn based upon behaviors observed. Explanation includes tentative linkages to social psychology theories. 

Results mentioned, but may not be consistently clear.  Explanation given for conclusions drawn may not be consistency based upon behaviors observed. Explanation may includes tentative linkages to social psychology theories. 

Results are not clearly addressed;  Explanation given for conclusions drawn may not be consistency based upon behaviors observed. Explanation may fail to make linkages to social psychology theories. 

Results are not addressed.

/ 10

Weblinks for research:

Jhangiani, R., & Tarry, H. (2014). Principles of social psychology (1st international ed.). BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/socialpsychology/ 

https://www.verywellmind.com/