Research Paper Outline

CATEGORY Unacceptable (Below Standards) Acceptable (Meets Standards) Good (Occasionally Exceeds) Excellent (Exceeds Standards) SCORE

Introduction

Does not adequately convey topic.

Does not describe subtopics to be

reviewed. Lacks adequate theses

statement.

Conveys topic, but not key

question(s). Describes subtopics

to be reviewed. General theses

statement.

Conveys topic and key question(s).

Clearly delineates subtopics to be

reviewed. General thesis statement.

Strong introduction of topic’s key

question(s), terms. Clearly delineates

subtopics to be reviewed. Specific

thesis statement.

15

Focus & Sequencing

Little evidence material is logically

organized into topic, subtopics or

related to topic. Many transitions

are unclear or nonexistent.

Most material clearly related to

subtopic, main topic. Material

may not be organized within

subtopics. Attempts to provide

variety of transitions

All material clearly related to subtopic,

main topic and logically organized

within subtopics. Clear, varied

transitions linking subtopics, and main

topic.

All material clearly related to subtopic,

main topic. Strong organization and

integration of material within

subtopics.

45

Paraphrasing & Referencing

Needs more work paraphrasing and

less direct quotes. Provided

references, but not

consistently/accurately.

Provided proper references and

paraphrased. Acceptable level of

“originality” on review.

Good job paraphrasing, incorporating

and citing properly ideas of others.

Good “originality” on review.

Excellent job incorporating,

paraphrasing, and citing the works of

others. Original work on review.

50

Grammar & Mechanics

Grammatical errors or spelling &

punctuation substantially detract

from the paper.

Very few grammatical, spelling

or punctuation errors interfere

with reading the paper.

Grammatical errors or spelling &

punctuation are rare and do not detract

from the paper.

The paper is free of grammatical errors

and spelling & punctuation. 50

Overall Quality & Readability

Style is lacking in readability. Uses

ineffective word choices and lacks

sentence variety.

Style is readable and rhetorically

effective in tone, incorporating

some varied sentence structure.

Style is readable and rhetorically

effective in tone, occasionally

incorporating varied sentence structure

and word choice.

Communication style is confident,

readable, and rhetorically effective in

tone, often incorporating varied sentence

structure and precise word choice.

40

Summarize Relevant, Peer-Reviewed,

Research on the Appropriate Topic.

Few proper sources supporting

topic. Sources insignificant or

unsubstantiated. Does not provide

or summarize adequate evidence

with respect to thesis statement.

Sources are weak or not relevant

to the topic. Partial summary to

support thesis.

Good supporting empirical research to

review topic. Clear and complete

summary of key conclusions. Strong

integration with thesis statement.

Strong peer-reviewed research based

support for thesis. Strong review of

key conclusions. Strong integration

with thesis statement.

50

APA Style

Errors in APA style detract

substantially from the paper. Word

choice is informal in tone. Writing

is choppy, with many awkward or

unclear passages.

Errors in APA style are

noticeable. Word choice

occasionally informal in tone.

Writing has a few awkward or

unclear passages.

Few errors in APA style that do not

detract from the paper. Scholarly style.

Writing has minimal awkward of

unclear passages.

No errors in APA style. Scholarly

style. Writing is flowing and easy to

follow.

30

APA References - References Page Reference and citation errors

detract significantly from paper.

Two references or citations

missing or incorrectly written.

One reference or citations missing or

incorrectly written.

All references and citations are

correctly written and present. 20

APA Format

A. Correct font (Times New Roman)

B. Font size (12 pt.)

C. Contains running head

D. Contains page numbers

E. Correct margins (1-inch)

F. Double Spaced

Paper contains no APA format

-lacking five or more components

(A-F)

Paper contains some APA format

but is lacking 3 - 5 components

(A-F)

Paper contains APA format-lacking 1-

2 components (A-F)

Paper is correctly formatted in APA

format and contains the necessary

components

50

Total Points 350

PSY 2510 Research Paper