Amy ( 12 pages due by 24th OCT)

POLS 4499 – Senior Seminar – DeWitt

Research Design Project Grading Rubric

General Guidelines: Students will submit a 12-15 page research design paper (not to exceed 20 pages with references). Students should segment their research designs into the following four sections, with subheadings: Introduction, Literature Review, Data and Methods, Conclusions and Implications. The grading rubric is below. See syllabus for more details.

1. Organization (10%) Does the paper have a clear sense of logical order that fully integrates the critical elements of research design? Is the paper well-structured and partitioned into appropriate sections (introduction, literature review, data and methods, conclusions and implications)? Are transitions between parts of the paper smooth and effective? 2. Overall Development (10%) Does the paper demonstrate critical thinking that is clear, insightful, in depth, and relevant to the research topic? 3. Mechanics and Referencing (10%) Is the paper free from spelling or grammatical errors? Are all sources properly referenced in a bibliography page? 4. Syntax and Diction (10%) Does the author use sophisticated language that engages readers, manipulate sentence length to enhance the total effect of the paper, use precise language that expresses complex ideas clearly? 5A. Introduction (Topic and Research Question) (15%) Is the paper’s topic interesting and course relevant? Is the research question clearly presented and of proper scope? Is the “so what” question adequately addressed such that the research topic and question are demonstrated to be program-relevant and worthy of academic research. 5B. Literature Review (Theory) (15%) Does the paper include a clearly-written, concise yet comprehensive, review of existing scholarship and theoretical foundations related to the research question as posed? Does the author effectively summarize and synthesize research from an adequate variety of sources while also pointing out gaps in the literature that the proposed study would plausibly fill? 5C. Data and Methods (15%) Are relevant variables adequately defined – both conceptually and operationally – and clearly presented? Are testable hypotheses (or a plausible research question) identified and properly formulated? Does the author intelligently elaborate on a sound plan for data collection / analysis? 5D. Conclusions and Implications (15%) Does the author expand on the likely results of the study in light of how the findings might contribute to greater academic understanding regarding the research topic area and the field of political science or international affairs more generally?