BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Benchmark - Health Care Research Proposal - Rubric Total 80 points

Criterion 1. 1: Unsatisfactory 2. 2: Less Than

Satisfactory 3. 3: Satisfactory 4. 4: Good 5. 5: Excellent

Description of Health Care

Proposal

Description of Health Care

Proposal

0 points

A description of the health

care administration issue or

barrier is not presented.

7.8 points

An incomplete or inaccurate

description of the health care

administration issue or

barrier is presented.

Significant detail or evidence

is needed.

9 points

A summary of the health care

administration issue or

barrier is presented. More

information or detail is

needed to fully describe the

health care problem.

10.2 points

A description of the health

care administration issue or

barrier is presented. Some

minor details or evidence is

needed.

12 points

A description of the health

care administration issue or

barrier is clearly presented.

Strong supporting evidence

is provided.

Summarization of

Stakeholders Affected by

Health Care Administration

Issue or Barrier

Summarization of

Stakeholders Affected by

Health Care Administration

Issue or Barrier

0 points

A summarization of the

stakeholders affected by the

health care administration

issue or barrier is not

presented.

7.8 points

An incomplete summary of

stakeholders is presented.

More information is needed

to provide a comprehensive

understanding of how the

stakeholders are affected by

the health care

administration issue or

barrier.

9 points

A general summary of

stakeholders is presented.

Some additional information

is needed to fully illustrate

how the stakeholders are

affected by the health care

administration problem.

10.2 points

A complete summary of

stakeholders is presented.

Adequate information is

provided to explain how

stakeholders are affected by

the health care

administration problem.

12 points

A strong summary of all

stakeholders is presented.

Detailed information explains

how stakeholders are directly

or indirectly affected by the

health care administration

problem.

Relevance of Problem to

Health Care Research

Relevance of Problem to

Health Care Research

0 points

The health care

administration problem and

its relationship to health care

research are not presented.

The problem presented is

not within the scope of a

health care administrative

problem.

10.4 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are referenced, but

a relationship between the

two is not established.

Significant information and

evidence are needed to

explain how health care

research is relevant and

supports the problem.

12 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are somewhat

evident, but some parts of

the summary are unclear. A

relationship between the two

is not strongly established.

Some information or

evidence is needed to fully

establish how health care

research is relevant and

supports the problem.

13.6 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are evident.

Information and evidence are

presented that demonstrate

how health care research is

relevant and supports the

problem.

16 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are thoroughly

discussed. Detailed

information and strong

evidence are supplied that

demonstrate how health care

research is highly relevant to

supporting the problem.

Article Supporting

Proposed Topic (B) (B)

Article Supporting Proposed

Topic (C3.6) (C3.6)

0 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles are not

provided.

10.4 points

At least two articles are

provided that relates to the

proposed topic, but the

article is not qualitative or

quantitative.

12 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles relating

to the proposed topic are

provided. These articles have

some relevance to the

proposed topic.

13.6 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles relating

to the proposed topic are

provided. These articles are

relevant to the proposed

topic.

16 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles relating

to the proposed topic are

provided. These article are

highly relevant to, and

provides strong support for,

the proposed topic.

Thesis Development and

Purpose

Thesis Development and

Purpose

0 points

Paper lacks any discernible

overall purpose or organizing

claim.

3.64 points

Thesis is insufficiently

developed or vague. Purpose

is not clear.

4.2 points

Thesis is apparent and

appropriate to purpose.

4.76 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts

the development of the

paper. Thesis is descriptive

and reflective of the

arguments and appropriate

to the purpose.

5.6 points

Thesis is comprehensive and

contains the essence of the

paper. Thesis statement

makes the purpose of the

paper clear.

Argument Logic and

Construction

Argument Logic and

Construction

0 points

Statement of purpose is not

justified by the conclusion.

The conclusion does not

support the claim made.

Argument is incoherent and

uses noncredible sources.

4.16 points

Sufficient justification of

claims is lacking. Argument

lacks consistent unity. There

are obvious flaws in the logic.

Some sources have

questionable credibility.

4.8 points

Argument is orderly but may

have a few inconsistencies.

The argument presents

minimal justification of

claims. Argument logically,

but not thoroughly, supports

the purpose. Sources used

are credible. Introduction

and conclusion bracket the

thesis.

5.44 points

Argument shows logical

progression. Techniques of

argumentation are evident.

There is a smooth

progression of claims from

introduction to conclusion.

Most sources are

authoritative.

6.4 points

Clear and convincing

argument presents a

persuasive claim in a

distinctive and compelling

manner. All sources are

authoritative.

© 2026. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

Criterion 1. 1: Unsatisfactory 2. 2: Less Than

Satisfactory 3. 3: Satisfactory 4. 4: Good 5. 5: Excellent

Mechanics of Writing

(includes spelling,

punctuation, grammar,

language use)

Mechanics of Writing

(includes spelling,

punctuation, grammar,

language use)

0 points

Surface errors are pervasive

enough that they impede

communication of meaning.

Inappropriate word choice or

sentence construction is

used.

2.6 points

Frequent and repetitive

mechanical errors distract

the reader. Inconsistencies in

language choice (register) or

word choice are present.

Sentence structure is correct

but not varied.

3 points

Some mechanical errors or

typos are present, but they

are not overly distracting to

the reader. Correct and

varied sentence structure

and audience-appropriate

language are employed.

3.4 points

Prose is largely free of

mechanical errors, although

a few may be present. The

writer uses a variety of

effective sentence structures

and figures of speech.

4 points

Writer is clearly in command

of standard, written,

academic English.

Paper Format (use of

appropriate style for the

major and assignment)

Paper Format (use of

appropriate style for the

major and assignment)

0 points

Template is not used

appropriately, or

documentation format is

rarely followed correctly.

2.6 points

Appropriate template is

used, but some elements are

missing or mistaken. A lack

of control with formatting is

apparent.

3 points

Appropriate template is

used. Formatting is correct,

although some minor errors

may be present.

3.4 points

Appropriate template is fully

used. There are virtually no

errors in formatting style.

4 points

All format elements are

correct.

Documentation of Sources

Documentation of Sources

(citations, footnotes,

references, bibliography, etc.,

as appropriate to assignment

and style)

0 points

Sources are not documented.

2.6 points

Documentation of sources is

inconsistent or incorrect, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, with numerous

formatting errors.

3 points

Sources are documented, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, although some

formatting errors may be

present.

3.4 points

Sources are documented, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, and format is

mostly correct.

4 points

Sources are completely and

correctly documented, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, and format is free

of error.

© 2026. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

Benchmark - Health Care Research Proposal - Rubric Total 80 points

Criterion 1. 1: Unsatisfactory 2. 2: Less Than

Satisfactory 3. 3: Satisfactory 4. 4: Good 5. 5: Excellent

Description of Health Care

Proposal

Description of Health Care

Proposal

0 points

A description of the health

care administration issue or

barrier is not presented.

7.8 points

An incomplete or inaccurate

description of the health care

administration issue or

barrier is presented.

Significant detail or evidence

is needed.

9 points

A summary of the health care

administration issue or

barrier is presented. More

information or detail is

needed to fully describe the

health care problem.

10.2 points

A description of the health

care administration issue or

barrier is presented. Some

minor details or evidence is

needed.

12 points

A description of the health

care administration issue or

barrier is clearly presented.

Strong supporting evidence

is provided.

Summarization of

Stakeholders Affected by

Health Care Administration

Issue or Barrier

Summarization of

Stakeholders Affected by

Health Care Administration

Issue or Barrier

0 points

A summarization of the

stakeholders affected by the

health care administration

issue or barrier is not

presented.

7.8 points

An incomplete summary of

stakeholders is presented.

More information is needed

to provide a comprehensive

understanding of how the

stakeholders are affected by

the health care

administration issue or

barrier.

9 points

A general summary of

stakeholders is presented.

Some additional information

is needed to fully illustrate

how the stakeholders are

affected by the health care

administration problem.

10.2 points

A complete summary of

stakeholders is presented.

Adequate information is

provided to explain how

stakeholders are affected by

the health care

administration problem.

12 points

A strong summary of all

stakeholders is presented.

Detailed information explains

how stakeholders are directly

or indirectly affected by the

health care administration

problem.

Relevance of Problem to

Health Care Research

Relevance of Problem to

Health Care Research

0 points

The health care

administration problem and

its relationship to health care

research are not presented.

The problem presented is

not within the scope of a

health care administrative

problem.

10.4 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are referenced, but

a relationship between the

two is not established.

Significant information and

evidence are needed to

explain how health care

research is relevant and

supports the problem.

12 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are somewhat

evident, but some parts of

the summary are unclear. A

relationship between the two

is not strongly established.

Some information or

evidence is needed to fully

establish how health care

research is relevant and

supports the problem.

13.6 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are evident.

Information and evidence are

presented that demonstrate

how health care research is

relevant and supports the

problem.

16 points

The health care

administration problem and

a relationship to health care

research are thoroughly

discussed. Detailed

information and strong

evidence are supplied that

demonstrate how health care

research is highly relevant to

supporting the problem.

Article Supporting

Proposed Topic (B) (B)

Article Supporting Proposed

Topic (C3.6) (C3.6)

0 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles are not

provided.

10.4 points

At least two articles are

provided that relates to the

proposed topic, but the

article is not qualitative or

quantitative.

12 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles relating

to the proposed topic are

provided. These articles have

some relevance to the

proposed topic.

13.6 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles relating

to the proposed topic are

provided. These articles are

relevant to the proposed

topic.

16 points

At least two qualitative or

quantitative articles relating

to the proposed topic are

provided. These article are

highly relevant to, and

provides strong support for,

the proposed topic.

Thesis Development and

Purpose

Thesis Development and

Purpose

0 points

Paper lacks any discernible

overall purpose or organizing

claim.

3.64 points

Thesis is insufficiently

developed or vague. Purpose

is not clear.

4.2 points

Thesis is apparent and

appropriate to purpose.

4.76 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts

the development of the

paper. Thesis is descriptive

and reflective of the

arguments and appropriate

to the purpose.

5.6 points

Thesis is comprehensive and

contains the essence of the

paper. Thesis statement

makes the purpose of the

paper clear.

Argument Logic and

Construction

Argument Logic and

Construction

0 points

Statement of purpose is not

justified by the conclusion.

The conclusion does not

support the claim made.

Argument is incoherent and

uses noncredible sources.

4.16 points

Sufficient justification of

claims is lacking. Argument

lacks consistent unity. There

are obvious flaws in the logic.

Some sources have

questionable credibility.

4.8 points

Argument is orderly but may

have a few inconsistencies.

The argument presents

minimal justification of

claims. Argument logically,

but not thoroughly, supports

the purpose. Sources used

are credible. Introduction

and conclusion bracket the

thesis.

5.44 points

Argument shows logical

progression. Techniques of

argumentation are evident.

There is a smooth

progression of claims from

introduction to conclusion.

Most sources are

authoritative.

6.4 points

Clear and convincing

argument presents a

persuasive claim in a

distinctive and compelling

manner. All sources are

authoritative.

© 2026. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

Criterion 1. 1: Unsatisfactory 2. 2: Less Than

Satisfactory 3. 3: Satisfactory 4. 4: Good 5. 5: Excellent

Mechanics of Writing

(includes spelling,

punctuation, grammar,

language use)

Mechanics of Writing

(includes spelling,

punctuation, grammar,

language use)

0 points

Surface errors are pervasive

enough that they impede

communication of meaning.

Inappropriate word choice or

sentence construction is

used.

2.6 points

Frequent and repetitive

mechanical errors distract

the reader. Inconsistencies in

language choice (register) or

word choice are present.

Sentence structure is correct

but not varied.

3 points

Some mechanical errors or

typos are present, but they

are not overly distracting to

the reader. Correct and

varied sentence structure

and audience-appropriate

language are employed.

3.4 points

Prose is largely free of

mechanical errors, although

a few may be present. The

writer uses a variety of

effective sentence structures

and figures of speech.

4 points

Writer is clearly in command

of standard, written,

academic English.

Paper Format (use of

appropriate style for the

major and assignment)

Paper Format (use of

appropriate style for the

major and assignment)

0 points

Template is not used

appropriately, or

documentation format is

rarely followed correctly.

2.6 points

Appropriate template is

used, but some elements are

missing or mistaken. A lack

of control with formatting is

apparent.

3 points

Appropriate template is

used. Formatting is correct,

although some minor errors

may be present.

3.4 points

Appropriate template is fully

used. There are virtually no

errors in formatting style.

4 points

All format elements are

correct.

Documentation of Sources

Documentation of Sources

(citations, footnotes,

references, bibliography, etc.,

as appropriate to assignment

and style)

0 points

Sources are not documented.

2.6 points

Documentation of sources is

inconsistent or incorrect, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, with numerous

formatting errors.

3 points

Sources are documented, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, although some

formatting errors may be

present.

3.4 points

Sources are documented, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, and format is

mostly correct.

4 points

Sources are completely and

correctly documented, as

appropriate to assignment

and style, and format is free

of error.

© 2026. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.