Distinguished - Clearly explains the topic, the importance of further research, ethical implications, and how it clearly relates to one’s academic and professional pursuits. Thoroughly informs the reader of the rationale behind the topic.

Proficient - Explains the topic, the importance of further research, ethical implications, and how it relates to one’s academic and professional pursuits. Informs the reader of the rationale behind the topic. Minor details are missing or the relationship to academic and professional pursuits is slightly unclear.

Basic - Somewhat explains the topic, the importance of further research, ethical implications, and how it relates to one’s academic and professional pursuits. Partially informs the reader of the rationale behind the topic. Relevant details are missing and/or the relationship to academic and professional pursuits is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the topic of the research paper, the importance of further research, ethical implications, and how it relates to one’s academic and professional pursuits; however, does not inform the reader of the rationale behind the topic, significant details are missing, and the relationship to academic and professional pursuits is entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The introduction to the research paper topic is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a developed thesis statement that thoroughly prepares the reader for the content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Provides a thesis statement that prepares the reader for the content, direction, and purpose of the paper. The thesis statement is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited thesis statement that somewhat prepares the reader for the content, direction, and purpose of the paper. The thesis statement is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a thesis statement; however, it does not prepare the reader for the content, direction, and purpose of the paper. The thesis statement is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The thesis statement is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes at least five scholarly sources and comprehensively explains how each is relevant to the topic of the Final Research Project. The sources clearly support the thesis statement. Each annotation is at least 150 words in length.

Proficient - Summarizes five scholarly sources and explains how each is relevant to the topic of the Final Research Project. The sources support the thesis statement, and most of the annotations meet the 150 word requirement. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Summarizes at least five scholarly sources and partially explains how each is relevant to the topic of the Final Research Project. The sources vaguely support the thesis statement, and/or some of the annotations meet the 150 word requirement. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize at least four scholarly references and explain how each source is relevant to the topic of the Final Research Project; however, the sources may not support the thesis statement, the annotations do not meet the 150 word requirement, and significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The annotated bibliography is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Interprets evidence used to support various positions. The interpretation is accurate, objective, clear, and thorough.

Proficient - Interprets evidence used to support various positions. The interpretation exhibits minor flaws in accuracy, objectivity, clarity, and/or thoroughness.

Basic - Interprets evidence used to support a tenable position. The interpretation lacks objectivity, clarity or thoroughness and may have minor flaws regarding accuracy.

Below Expectations - Attempts to interpret evidence that is used to support a position. The interpretation has substantial flaws regarding accuracy, objectivity, clarity and thoroughness and/or the position is not plausible within the field of study.

Non-Performance - Does not interpret evidence that is used to support positions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The paper is at least 1,000 words in length, excluding the title page and reference page(s).

Proficient - The paper closely meets the word requirement, excluding title page and reference page(s).

Basic - The paper meets over half of the word requirement, excluding title page and reference page(s).

Below Expectations - A fraction of the word requirement is completed.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.