Research

RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

OVERVIEW

The Research Paper Assignment for this course will be based on the topic you chose at the beginning of the course concerning teaching and learning. Your paper must be 15–20 pages and written in formal current APA style (refer to the information and sample paper provided in the course’s Writing Style Guides). This assignment is a review of the literature on the topic that represents a practical problem in education. You should not conduct original research for this assignment.

INSTRUCTIONS

The minimum number of resources to be used for the paper is 10. All resources must be from scholarly or peer-reviewed journals (usually found from databases such as ERIC, EBSCO Host, or Info Trac). Resources must be diverse in nature, including articles from scholarly journals, books, and professional websites. The research aspect must be your diligent work in ascertaining current, scholarly resources to support your writing about the topic/issue. At least ten of your resources must be five years old or newer. If you use older resources (particularly in the Historical Summary section), be sure that at least ten in the overall paper are five years old or newer. You should use at least some of the sources identified in your Annotated Bibliography Assignment.

The required parts to include are as follows:

• Cover Page • Abstract • Introduction • Historical Summary: How did the issue develop and how has it been viewed in the past? • Current Issue: described in the present culture of education and including strategies that are in place to address the issue • Biblical integration: What does Scripture say about the issue? • Conclusion

This assignment is to be written in the third person and should be in expository form. You must present facts and research supported by scholarly literature. The Biblical Integration section must be supported by Scripture and must make a clear connection between a Biblical worldview and the topic.

Be sure to view the Research Paper Grading Rubric to ensure that you know all criteria and expectations for how your paper will be assessed.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Criteria Ratings Points

Purpose and Problem/Issue

20 to >17 pts

Advanced

The writer’s central purpose or argument is readily apparent to the reader. The thesis is well developed and clearly focused. The paper has a balanced presentation of relevant and legitimate information that clearly identifies the problem or issue and why it is significant. The writer develops a thoughtful, focused, in-depth analysis of the significant topic. The reader gains important insights.

17 to >16 pts

Proficient

The writing has a clear purpose or argument but may sometimes digress from it. The thesis is somewhat developed, but it may not be clearly focused. The information provides adequate support for a central thesis or argument. The analysis is basic and general. The reader gains adequate insight.

16 to >0 pts

Developing

The central purpose or argument is not consistently clear throughout the paper. The thesis is unclear or missing. Information may support a central focus or argument at times, and some analysis is evident. The reader gains few insights.

0 pts

Not Present

20 pts

Historical Summary

30 to >27 pts

Advanced

The historical summary provides a detailed description of the background of the problem. The assertions are specific and include support from credible sources of information such as scholarly journals and other reliable sources.

27 to >24 pts

Proficient

The historical summary partially describes the background of the problem with some details that point to why it is significant. The assertions are more general in nature and sometimes include support from credible sources of information such as scholarly journals and other reliable sources.

24 to >0 pts

Developing

The historical summary minimally describes the background of the problem and does not demonstrate the significance of the issue. More development of the ideas is needed. The assertions frequently do not include support from credible sources of information such as scholarly journals and other reliable sources.

0 pts

Not Present

30 pts

Research Paper Grading Rubric | EDUC735_B02_202430

Criteria Ratings Points

Current Research and Strategies

30 to >27 pts

Advanced

The current research section demonstrates a solid understanding of the current information regarding the topic and at least two strategies that are frequently used to address the issue. The strategies are described in a way that demonstrates how they are used and the efficacy of each. Reliable, scholarly sources are used as evidence of the ideas presented.

27 to >24 pts

Proficient

The current research section demonstrates an understanding of the current information regarding the topic and one or two strategies that are frequently used to address the issue. The strategies are described in a way that somewhat demonstrates how they are used and/or the efficacy of each. Reliable, scholarly sources are used as evidence of the ideas presented in most of this section.

24 to >0 pts

Developing

The current research section demonstrates a superficial understanding of the current information regarding the topic and the strategies that are frequently used to address the issue. frequently used to address the issue. The strategies are described in a way that does not adequately demonstrate how they are used and/or the efficacy of each. Reliable, scholarly sources are used inconsistently as evidence of the ideas presented.

0 pts

Not Present

30 pts

Biblical Worldview

25 to >22 pts

Advanced

After the issue/topic has been addressed from both sides of the issue in an unbiased, expository way, the author inserts what Scripture includes about the topic. Any assertions from the author are supported by Biblical examples and Scripture references.

22 to >20 pts

Proficient

After the issue/topic has been addressed from both sides of the issue in an unbiased, expository way, the author inserts what Scripture includes about the topic.

20 to >0 pts

Developing

Although the issue/topic has been addressed from both sides of the issue in an unbiased, expository way, the author includes some Biblical ideas that may or may not be supported by Scripture.

0 pts

Not Present

25 pts

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

15 to >13 pts

Advanced

Spelling and grammar are correct. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. Third-person is used throughout the paper.

13 to >12 pts

Proficient

There are some spelling and grammar errors. Sentences require some re-reading for understanding. Third-person is used throughout the paper.

12 to >0 pts

Developing

Spelling and grammar errors distract the reader. Sentences are incomplete or unclear. Third-person is used inconsistently throughout the paper.

0 pts

Not Present

15 pts

Research Paper Grading Rubric | EDUC735_B02_202430

Criteria Ratings Points

Format 15 to >13 pts

Advanced

Current APA format is used accurately and consistently in all citations. This includes both the body of the paper and the References list.

13 to >12 pts

Proficient

Current APA format is used with minor errors in the body of the paper or the References list.

12 to >0 pts

Developing

There are frequent errors in current APA format in the body of the paper or the References list.

0 pts

Not Present

15 pts

Length and Sources Addresses Requirements

15 to >13 pts

Advanced

The body of the paper is 15-20 pages. Additional pages include a title page, abstract, and reference list. The paper addresses all of the required sections.

There are at least 10 sources from a scholarly journal, book, or professional website that are five years old or newer.

13 to >12 pts

Proficient

The body of the paper is less than 15 pages and does not include 1 or more of the following: a title page, abstract, and/or reference list. The paper addresses most of the required sections.

There are fewer than 10 sources from a scholarly journal, book, or professional website that are five years old or newer.

12 to >0 pts

Developing

The body of the paper is less than 15 pages and results in an underdeveloped paper. It does not include any of the following: a title page, abstract, and/or reference list. The paper is missing 1 or more of the required sections.

There are fewer than 5 sources from a scholarly journal, book, or professional website that are five years old or newer.

0 pts

Not Present

15 pts

Total Points: 150

Research Paper Grading Rubric | EDUC735_B02_202430